9 


‘-A '•  ■ 


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4 


M. 


THE  ETHEL  CARR  PEACOCK 

MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 

Matris  amort  monumentum 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

DURHAM,  N.  C. 

1903 


Gift  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Dred  Peacock 


“EACOCK 

fntum. 

'OOM 


a 


f 


. - - 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/answertosirheriry01corn 


.jff'i  T9l|p* 


"Til  ^ 1 


ANSWER 

TO 

Sir  henry  CLINTON’S 

NARRATIVE 

OF  THE 

CAMPAIGN  IN  1781 

IN 

NORTH  AMERICA. 


Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


2 ^ 6 2. 

PHILADELPHIA; 

JOHN  CAMPBELL^ 

MDCCCLXVI. 

I ^ 


No. 


Edition  of  250  Copies, 

Of  which  75  copies  are  in  quarto,  and  25  copies 
in  folio. 


PRINTED  BY  HENRY  B.  ASHMEAD, 

No.  1102  Sansom  Street. 


A N 


ANSWER 

TO  THAT  PART  OF  THE 

NARRATIVE 

O F 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 

SIR  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

Which  relates  to  the  Conduft  of 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 

EARL  CORNWALLIS, 

DURING  THE 

CAMPAIGN  IN  NORTH- AMERICA, 

IN  THE  YEAR  I781. 

By  earl  CORNWALLIS. 


LONDON: 

Printed  for  J.  D E B R E T T,  (Succelfor  to  Mr.  A L m on,) 
oppofite  Burlington-House,  Piccadilly. 


M.DCC.LXXXIII. 


CONTENTS. 


% 


PART  1. 


CORRESPONDENCE 


Between  General  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B.  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  and  Earl  CORNWALLIS, 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  CAMPAIGN  IN 
NORTH-CAROLINA. 


No.  II. 


ARL  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
K.  B.  - - - - 


No.  II.  Sir  Henry  Clinton’s  Anfwer  to  Earl  Corn- 
wallis, ------------- 

No.  HI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 
No.  IV.  Sir  Henry  Clinton’s  Anfwer  to  Earl  Corn- 
wallis, ------------- 

Duplicate  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl 

Cornwallis,  (inclofed,)  - --  --  --  - 
No.  V.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

Inclofed  Copies  of  Earl  Cornwallis’s  Dil- 

patch.  No.  6,  to  Lord  George  Germain, 

Earl  Cornwallis’s  Difpatch,  No.  7,  to  Lord 

George  Germain,  - --  --  --  --  - 

A Proclamation  of  - --  --  -- 

Earl  Cornwallis’s  Difpatch,  No.  8,  to  Lord 

George  Germain,  ---------- 


A. 1781.  P. 
Jan.  18,  I 

Mar.  5,  5 

Ap.  10,  9 

Ap.  30,  13 

Ap.  13,  18 
Ap.  23,  20 

Ma.  17,  22 

Ma.  17,  23 
Fe.  20,  34 

Ma.  17,  33 
No.  V.— 


CONTENTS. 


1781.  P. 

Earl  Cornwallis’s  Dil'patch,  No.  9,  to  Lord 


George  Germain,  ---------  - Ap.  18,  44 

A Proclamation  of  - --  --  --  Mar.  18,  47 

Earl  Cornwallis’s  Dil'patch,  No.  10,  to 

Lord  George  Germain,  - --  --  --  - Ap.  18,  48 

Earl  Cornwallis’s  Dil'patch,  No.  ii,  to 

Lord  George  Germain,  ------  Ap.  23,  50 

No.  VI.  State  of  the  Troops  that  marched  with  the  Army 
under  the  Command  of  Lieutenant-General  Earl  Cornwallis 
at  different  Periods  of  Time, 53 


PART  II. 

RELATIVE  TO  EARL  C O R N "W  A L L I S ’ s 
MARCH  INTO  VIRGINIA. 

No.  1.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - - Ap.  24,  55 

Inclofed  a Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis’s  Letter  to 

Major  General  Phillips, --  - Ap.  24,  56 

No.  II.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - Ma.  2,8,  58 
No.  III.  Sir  Henry  Clinton’s  Inllruftions  to  Major 

General  Phillips,  - --  --  --  --  - Ma.  10,  61 

No.  IV.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - May  20,  64 
No.  V.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - May  29,  67 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - June  i,  67 

No.  VI.  Earl  Cornwallis’s  Anfwer  to  Sir  Henry 

Clinton,  - July  24,  74 

No.  VII.  State  of  the  Troops,  that  marched  with  the 
Army  under  the  Command  of  Lieutenant-General 
Earl  Cornwallis,  - ---.  May  1,  77 


PART 


CONTENTS. 

PART  III. 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  OPERATIONS  IN 
VIRGINIA. 

1781.  P. 

No.  I.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - May  26,  79 
No.  II.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - May  26,  80 
No.  III.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Mar.  14,  85 
No.  IV.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Mar.  24,  87 
No.  V.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Ap.  ii,  90 
No.  VI.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Ap.  26,  95 

Inclofing  the  Subftance  of  feveral  Conver- 

fations  between  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Maj.  Gen. 

Phillips,  before  his  Departure  for  the  Chefapeak,  100 

No.  VII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Ap.  30,  105 
No.  VIII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  Ma.  1 1,  111 

Duplicate  inclofed  in  No.  IX.  Sir  Henry 

Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  -------  June  11,  11^ 

No.  IX.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - June  15,  112 
No.  X.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - June  30,  i 16 
No.  XI.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - June  28,  126 
No.  XII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - July  8,  129 
No.  XIII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - July  i 2,  132 
No.  XIV.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - June  8,  133 
No.  XV.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - June  19.  137 
No.  XVI.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - July  i,  141 
No.  XVII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  July  17,  142 
No.  XVIII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  July  1 1,  145 
No.  XIX.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - July  15,  146 
No.  XX.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - July  26,  152 
No.  XXI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Au.  20,  153 


PART 


CONTENTS. 


PART  IV. 

RELATIVE  TO  OCCUPYING  AN  HARBOUR 


FOR  LINE  OF  BATTLE  SHIPS. 

1781.  P. 

No.  I.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - - July  8,  161 

No.  II.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - July  ii,  167 

No.  HI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - July  26,  170 

Inclofed  Extrafts  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton’s 

Letters  to  General  Phillips,  - --  --  --  --  175 

The  Report  of  the  Engineer  and  Copies  of 

the  Opinions  of  the  Commanders  of  his  Majelly’s 
Ships  in  Chefapeak  relative  to  Point  Comfort,  - - - - 180 

No.  IV.  Admiral  Graves  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - - July  iz,  180 

No.  V.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Admiral  Graves,  - - July  26,  182 

No.  VI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Au.  12,  183 

No.  VII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - Au.  ii,  184 

No.  VIII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Au.  16,  185 

No.  IX.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Au.  22,  186 


PART  V. 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  DEFENCE  OF  YORK, 
IN  VIRGINIA. 

No.  I.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - - Au.  31,  189 

No.  II.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Sep.  1,  190 
No.  HI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - Sep.  2,  ibid. 


No.  IV.  Earl 


CONTENTS. 


178 

I . 

P. 

No.  IV.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

Sep. 

191 

No.  V.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

Sep. 

8,  i 

ibid. 

No.  VI.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Sep. 

2, 

193 

No.  VII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Sep. 

6, 

195 

No.  VIH.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 

Sep. 

16, 

196 

No.  IX.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 

Sep. 

24, 

197 

No.  X.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

Sep. 

29, 

199 

No.  XL  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 

Sep. 

25. 

200 

No.  XII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 

Oft. 

3> 

201 

No.  XIII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Sep. 

3o> 

202 

No.  XIV.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 

Oft. 

ID 

204 

No.  XV.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 

Oft. 

GL 

205 

No.  XVI.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  - 

Oft. 

20, 

206 

Inclofed  Earl  Cornwallis  to  General  Wafh- 

ington,  - --  --  --  --  --  -- 

Oft. 

17. 

217 

General  Wafhington  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Oft. 

I7> 

215 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  General  Walhington,  - 

Oft. 

17. 

ib. 

General  Wafhington  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Oft. 

18, 

2 1 7 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  General  Wafhington,  - 

Oft. 

18, 

218 

Copy  of  the  Articles  of  Capitulation, 

- - 

- 

220 

No.  XVII.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 

Nov. 

,30, 

227 

No.  XVIII.  Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

Dec. 

z. 

228 

No.  XIX.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  - 

Dec. 

2, 

230 

No.  XX.  State  of  the  Troops  under  the  Command 
of  Lieutenant-general  Earl  Cornwallis  in  Virginia 
at  different  periods  of  Time, 

No.  XXI.  State  of  the  Army  in  Virginia  under  the 

Command  of  Lieutenant-general  Earl  Cornwallis,  Oft.  i 8, 


PART 


CONTENTS. 


PART  VI. 

LETTERS  FROM  SIR  HENRY  CLINTON, K.B. 
TO  EARL  CORNWALLIS. 

DELIVERED  AT  NE  W-Y  ORK  A MONTH  AFTER  EARL 

Cornwallis’s  surrender. 


No.  I.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 
No.  II.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 
No.  III.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 
No.  IV.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 


CO 

P. 

Aug.  2, 

237 

Aug.  27, 

251 

Aug.  30, 

253 

Oa.14,15, 

1 

and  18. 

257 

C O R R E- 


THE 


INTRODUCTION. 


HE  feelings,  which  dictate  this  publica- 


tion,  have  originated  from  the  contents 
of  a Narrative,  ligned  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
late  Commander  in  Chief  in  America.  In 
which  Narrative,  events  are  attributed  to  my 
condudt  during  the  campaign  of  1781,  which, 
I truft,  it  will  appear,  were  by  no  means  the 
unavoidable  confequences  of  any  part  of  it. 

The  materials,  hitherto  produced,  cannot  be 
deemed  complete,  either  in  form  or  fubftance. 
There  were  many  deficiencies  in  the  papers 
laid  before  the  Houfe  of  Lords;  in  particular, 
four  letters,  dated  July  the  24th,  Augufi:  the 
ifith,  20th,  and  2 2d,  from  me  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  were  wanting;  one  of  which  con- 
tained my  reafons  at  large  for  undertaking  the 
A march 


ii  INTRODUCTION, 
march  into  Virginia:  This  omiffion,  as  the 
Secretary  of  State  informed  the  Houfe,  was 
owing  to  their  not  having  been  tranfmitted  by 
the  Commander  in  Chief.  Four  other  letters 
(three  of  them  dated  the  2d,  27th,  and  30th 
of  Auguft,  and  one  the  14th,  15th,  and  i8th 
of  Odtober)  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  me, 
were  read  to  the  Lords,  according  to  the  order 
of  their  dates;  although  they  were  only  deli- 
vered to  me,  by  the  Secretary  to  the  Comman- 
der in  Chief,  in  the  latter  end  of  November, 
at  New- York,  above  a month  after  my  furren- 
der;  and  confequently,  their  contents  could 
not  influence  my  condudl  in  any  manner. 

I own  I am  perfedtly  aware  of  the  impro- 
priety of  publifhing  official  letters  for  private 
reafons;  but,  fince  the  meafures  with  refpedt 
to  America  have  now  undergone  a total  change, 
I hope,  I ffiall  in  fome  degree  ftand  excufed 
for  producing  the  whole  correfpondence,  in  my 
pofl'effion,  relative  to  the  principal  tranfadtions 
of  that  campaign ; as  it  is  the  mofl;  candid  and 
complete  mode,  in  my  power,  of  fubmitting 
them  to  the  public  confideration. 

The  perufal  of  this  Correfpondence  will,  I 
think,  render  not  only  the  military,  but  every 
other  reader  a competent  judge  of  the  pro- 
priety 


Ill 


INTRODUCTION, 
priety  of  my  condud:,  either  when  I aded 
under  pohtive  orders,  preffing  contingencies, 
or  difcretionary  powers. 

It  is  foreign  to  the  prefent  purpofe,  and  I 
lhall  therefore  not  endeavour  to  enumerate  the 
many  difficulties,  which  I had  to  ftruggle 
with,  in  my  command  of  the  Southern  dif- 
trid,  previous  to  the  march  into  North  Caro- 
lina, in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1781.  This 
meafure  was  thought  expedient  not  only  by 
me,  but  by  the  Commander  in  Chief:  I was 
principally  induced  to  decide  in  favour  of 
its  expediency  from  a clear  convidion,  that  the 
men  and  treafures  of  Britain  would  be  laviffied 
in  vain  upon  the  American  war,  without  the 
moft  adive  exertions  of  the  troops  allotted  for 
that  fervice;  and,  that,  while  the  enemy  could 
draw  their  fupplies  from  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  the  defence  of  the  frontier  of  South 
Carolina,  even  againft  an  inferior  army,  would 
be  from  its  extent,  the  nature  of  the  climate, 
and  the  difpofition  of  the  inhabitants,  utterly 
impradicable.  The  many  untoward  circum- 
ftances,  which  occurred  during  the  four  months 
fucceeding  the  complete  vidory  of  Camden, 
had  entirely  confirmed  me  in  this  opinion. 
Our  hopes  of  fuccefs,  in  offenfive  operations, 

were 


IV 


INTRODUCTION, 
were  not  founded  only  upon  the  efforts  of 
the  corps  under  my  immediate  command, 
which  did  not  much  exceed  three  thoufand 
men;  but  principally,  upon  the  moft  pofitive 
affurances,  given  by  apparently  credible  depu- 
ties and  emiffaries,  that,  upon  the  appearance 
of  a Britiili  army  in  North  Carolina,  a great 
body  of  the  inhabitants  were  ready  to  join 
and  co-operate  with  it,  in  endeavouring  to 
reftore  his  Majeffy’s  Government. 

The  difafter  of  the  17th  of  January  can- 
not be  imputed  to  any  defedl  in  my  condudl, 
as  the  detachment  was  certainly  fuperior  to 
the  force  againft  which  it  was  fent,  and  put 
under  the  command  of  an  officer  of  experience 
and  tried  abilities.  This  misfortune,  however, 
did  not  appear  irretrievable ; and  to  have  aban- 
doned, without  abfolute  neceffity,  the  plan  of 
the  campaign,  would  have  been  ruinous  and 
difgraceful ; ruinous,  by  engaging  us  in  a de- 
fenlive  fyffem,  the  impracticability  of  which 
I have  already  ftated ; and  difgraceful,  becaufe 
the  reafons  for  the  undertaking  ftill  exiffed 
in  their  full  ftrength,  the  public  faith  was 
pledged  to  our  friends  in  North  Carolina,  and 
I believed  my  remaining  force  to  be  fuperior  to 
that  under  the  command  of  General  Greene. 

That 


V 


INTRODUCTION. 

That  this  opinion  was  well  founded,  the  pre- 
cipitate retreat  of  that  General  from  North 
Carolina,  and  our  victory  at  Guildford,  after 
his  return  with  Virginia  reinforcements,  are 
fufficient  proofs. 

The  unexpected  failure  of  our  friends  ren- 
dered the  victory  of  Guildford  of  little  value. 
I know  that  it  has  been  aiferted  or  inhnuated 
that  they  were  not  fufficiently  tried  upon  this 
occahon : But  can  any  difpaffionate  person  be- 
lieve, that  I did  not  give  every  encouragement 
to  people  of  all  defcriptions  to  join  and  affift 
us,  when  my  own  reputation,  the  fafety  of 
the  army,  and  the  interefts  of  my  country, 
were  fo  deeply  concerned  in  that  junction  and 
affiftance  ? All  inducements  in  my  power  were 
made  ufe  of  without  material  effeCt ; and  every 
man  in  the  army  mult  have  been  convinced, 
that  the  accounts  of  our  emilfaries  had  greatly 
exaggerated  the  number  of  thofe  who  profelfed 
friendlhip  for  us,  as  they  mult  have  obferved, 
that  a very  inconliderable  part  of  them  could 
be  prevailed  upon  to  remain  with  us,  or  to 
exert  themfelves  in  any  form  whatever. 

This  difappointment,  and  the  wants  and 
diltrelfes  of  the  army,  compelled  me  to  move 
to  Crofs-creek ; but  meeting  there  with  no  ma- 
terial 


VI 


INTRODUCTION. 

terial  part  of  the  promifed  affiftance  and  fup- 
plies,  I was  obliged  to  continue  my  march  to 
Wilmington,  where  hofpitals  and  ftores  were 
ready  for  us.  Of  this  move  I fent  information 
by  feveral  exprelfes  to  Lord  Rawdon,  but  un- 
fortunately they  all  failed.  My  intention  then 
was,  as  foon  as  I Ihould  have  equipped  my  own 
corps,  and  received  a part  of  the  expected  rein- 
forcement from  Ireland,  to  return  to  the  upper 
country;  in  hopes  of  giving  fome  protection 
to  South  Carolina,  and  of  preferving  the  health 
of  the  troops,  until  new  meafures  could  be 
concerted  with  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

The  march  of  General  Greene  into  South 
Carolina,  and  Lord  Rawdon’s  danger,  made 
my  lituation  very  critical.  Having  heard  of  the 
arrival  of  a pacquet  from  Europe,  without  any 
certain  accounts  of  the  failing  of  the  reinforce- 
ment, I thought  it  too  hazardous  to  remain 
inactive ; and,  as  it  was  impoffible  to  receive  in 
time  any  orders  or  opinions  from  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  diredt  me,  it  became  my  duty  to  aft 
from  my  own  judgment  and  experience;  I 
therefore  upon  mature  deliberation,  decided  to 
march  into  Virginia,  as  the  fafeft  and  molf 
effeftual  means  of  employing  the  fmall  corps, 
under  my  command,  in  contributing  towards 

the 


INTRODUCTION.  vii 
the  general  fuccefs  of  the  war.  I came  to 
this  refolution  principally  for  the  following 
reafons, — I could  not  remain  at  Wilmington, 
left  General  Greene  ftiould  fucceed  againft 
Lord  Rawdon,  and,  by  returning  to  North 
Carolina,  have  it  in  his  power  to  cut  off  every 
means  of  faving  my  fmall  corps,  except  that 
difgraceful  one  of  an  embarkation,  with  the 
lofs  of  the  cavalry,  and  every  horfe  in  the  army : 
From  the  Ihortnefs  of  Lord  Rawdon’s  ftock 
of  provilions,  and  the  great  diftance  from  Wil- 
mington to  Camden,  it  appeared  impoffible, 
that  any  diredt  move  of  mine  could  aftbrd  him 
the  leaft  profpedt  of  relief;  in  the  attempt,  in 
cafe  of  a misfortune  to  him,  the  fafety  of  my 
own  corps  might  have  been  endangered;  or  it 
he  extricated  himfelf,  the  force  in  South  Caro- 
lina, when  alfembled,  was,  in  my  opinion, 
fufficient  to  fecure  what  was  valuable  to  us, 
and  capable  of  defence  in  that  province.  I was 
likewife  influenced  by  having  juft  received  an 
account  from  Charles-town  of  the  arrival  ot  a 
frigate  with  difpatches  from  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  the  fubftance  of  which,  then  tranl- 
mitted  to  me,  was,  that  General  Phillips  had 
been  detached  to  the  Chefapeak,  and  put  under 
my  orders;  which  induced  me  to  hope,  that 

folid 


viii  INTRODUCTION. 

Iblid  operations  might  be  adopted  in  that 
quarter:  and  I was  moft  firmly  perfuaded, 
that,  until  Virginia  was  reduced,  we  could  not 
hold  the  more  fouthern  provinces;  and  that, 
after  its  reduction,  they  would  fall  without 
much  refiftance,  and  be  retained  without 
much  difficulty. 

With  these  fentiments,  I joined  General 
Phillips’s  corps  at  Peterfburgh  on  the  20th  ot 
May,  a few  days  after  his  death ; but  from  his 
papers,  and  difpatches  from  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  directed  to  him,  which  I received  at 
that  place  on  the  24th  of  May,  I found  there 
were  other  projects  in  contemplation,  which 
to  me  were  entirely  new.  The  Commander  in 
Chief  having  desired  General  Phillips  to  give 
his  opinion  concerning  the  scheme  of  opera- 
tions in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  and  the  defign 
upon  Philadelphia,  I thought  it  my  duty,  as  I 
was  then  in  his  place  to  offer  mine : which  was, 
that  I could  not  fee  fufficient  grounds  for  ap- 
proving of  either  of  thefe  fchemes ; nor  indeed 
could  I bring  myfelf  to  think  any  other  plan, 
but  the  attempt  to  reduce  Virginia,  at  that 
time  either  expedient  or  important.  But  I 
informed  Sir  Henry  Clinton  that  I fhould 
repair  to  Williamfburgh  about  the  time  when 

I fhould 


IX 


INTRODUCTION. 

I fhould  probably  receive  his  answer,  in  order 
to  be  in  readinefs  to  execute  his  commands; 
and  that  I Ihould  employ  the  intermediate 
fpace  in  deftroying  fuch  of  the  enemy’s  ftores 
and  magazines,  as  might  be  within  my  reach. 

Whoever  reads  the  Correfpondence  will  fee, 
that,  lince  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  declared  po- 
litively  in  his  firft,  and  in  feveral  fubfequent 
difpatches,  againft  the  plan  of  reducing  Vir- 
ginia, no  explicit  alternative  was  left  to  me, 
between  complying  with  the  requifition  (con- 
tained in  his  letters  of  the  nth  and  15th  of 
June)  of  fuch  troops  as  I could  fpare  from  a 
healthy  detenlive  ftation,  or  engaging  in  ope- 
rations in  the  Upper  Chefapeak : The  choice 
of  an  healthy  iituation  was  controlled  by  other 
material  conliderations ; for,  whilft  he  Rated 
in  fuch  Rrong  terms  the  imminent  danger  of 
New  York,  or  the  important  effects,  which  he 
expedted  from  the  expedition  againft  Philadel- 
phia, I did  not  think  myself  authorized  to  de- 
tain any  part  of  the  troops  he  fo  earneftly  re- 
quired; merely  upon  my  opinion  of  the  dif- 
ference of  the  quality  of  the  air  at  Williamf- 
burgh,  York,  or  Portfmouth;  from  the  latter 
of  which  only,  as  it  was  already  fortified,  I 
could  afford  an  immediate  detachment.  And 

with 


B 


X 


INTRODUCTION, 
with  relpe£t  to  the  operations  in  the  Upper 
Chefapeak,  it  will  be  remarked,  that,  although 
that  plan  had  been  for  fome  time  under  the  con- 
fideration  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  he  did 
not  feem  inclined  to  take  more  lhare  in  the 
refponlibility  than  barely  to  recommend  it : 
and  many  reafons,  but  particularly  miy  recent 
failure  in  a limilar  attempt,  deterred  me  from 
undertaking  it,  without  an  explicit  inftrudtion. 
Accordingly,  that  I might  be  enabled  to  com- 
ply with  thofe  orders  of  the  i ith  and  15th  of 
June,  I palfed  James-river,  (my  remaining 
force  being  infufficient  to  fortify  and  maintain 
a poft  on  the  Williamfburgh  Neck)  and  em- 
barked the  troops  required  with  all  pollible 
difpatch.  And  it  will  be  feen  by  the  Corref- 
pondence,  that  the  Commander  in  Chief’s 
opinion  of  the  indifpenfable  necessity  of  an 
harbour  for  line  of  battle  fhips  only  appears 
in  his  letter  of  the  i ith  of  July,  after  he  had 
been  acquainted,  that  the  troops,  intended 
for  the  expedition  againft  Philadelphia,  would 
be  foon  ready  to  fail. 

Hampton-road  was  recommended  by  that 
order ; but,  as  it  was,  upon  examination,  found 
totally  unfit  for  the  purpofe  defired,  every  per- 
fon  can  judge,  whether  the  order  did  not  then, 

in 


XI 


INTRODUCTION. 

in  its  fpirit,  become  pofitive  to  occupy  York 
and  Gloucefter ; the  only  harbour  in  the  Che- 
lapeak,  that  I knew  of  then,  or  indeed  that 
I have  heard  of  fince,  in  which  line  of  battle 
Ihips  can  be  received,  and  protected  againft  a 
fuperior  naval  force ; and,  as  the  harbour  was 
the  indifpenfable  objedt,  I thought  it  unnecef- 
fary  to  enter  into  a defcription  of  the  difad- 
vantage  of  the  ground,  againft  a land  attack, 
fince  there  remained  no  other  choice. 

When  the  arrival  of  the  French  fleet,  and 
the  approach  of  General  Walhington,  were 
known  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  it  will  appear 
by  the  Correfpondence,  that  his  promifes  of 
relief  in  perfon  were  uniform : without  giving 
me  the  fmallefl:  particle  of  difcretionary  power, 
different  from  holding  the  pofts  that  I occupied. 
Every  reader  will  therefore  be  competent  to 
judge,  whether,  under  these  circumftances,  and 
as  I could  not  but  fuppofe  that  the  Commander 
in  Chief  fpoke  from  a perfedt  knowledge  of 
his  own  refources,  and  of  the  force  of  the 
enemy,  it  would  have  been  juftifiable  in  me 
either  to  abandon,  by  the  evacuation  of  York, 
a confiderable  quantity  of  artillery,  the  fliips 
of  war,  tranfports,  provifions,  ftores,  and  hof- 
pitals,  or,  by  venturing  an  adtion,  without  the 

most 


xii  INTRODUCTION. 

moft  manifeft  advantage,  to  run  the  rifk  of 

precipitating  the  lofs  of  them. 

Although  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  ad- 
vanced his  light  troops  early  in  September  to 
Williamfburgh,  he  did  not  take  poft  there 
with  his  army  till  reinforced  with  the  French 
troops  from  the  Weft  Indies,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Brigadier  de  St.  Simon.  I could,  at 
that  time,  after  leaving  fome  flight  guards  in 
the  works,  have  marched  out  a little  more  than 
four  thoufand  men,  partly  composed  of  troops 
unaccuftomed  to  adtion.  The  enemy  were 
in  a ftrong  polition,  and  conhderably  fuperior 
in  number,  but  I fhould  have  attacked  them 
without  hefitation,  if  I had  thought  myself 
at  liberty,  after  a vidlory,  to  efcape  into  the 
Carolinas,  with  the  troops  that  were  able  to 
march.  No  other  objed:  appeared  fufficient  to 
juftify  this  meafure ; for  our  labour  would  have 
been  materially  interrupted  by  an  adion,  and 
even  a vidory,  unlefs  it  had  extended  to  the 
annihilation  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette’s 
corps,  without  confiderable  lofs  on  our  fide 
(two  events  not  to  be  expeded)  would  not  have 
enabled  us  to  make  a fuccefsful  defence  againfl 
the  army  then  approaching,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Wafliington:  But  a defeat 

would 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 
would  probably  have  been  followed  with  the 
immediate  lofs  of  our  poft,  which,  until  the  end 
of  September,  was  a in  most  defencelefs  ftate  : 
and  as  I could  never  have  proved,  that  I ihould 
not  have  been  relieved,  I Ihould  have  been  ex- 
pofed  to  public  execration,  as  a man,  who> 
having  reafon  to  expeft  the  early  arrival  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  to  fuperfede  him  in  his 
command,  had,  in  hopes  of  perfonal  reputation 
from  a vidlory,  facrificed  the  elfential  intereft  of 
his  country.  Far  lefs  could  I have  ventured  an 
adtion  without  the  moft  evident  advantage, 
after  the  jundtion  of  General  Walhington;  a 
dechion,  which  nothing  could  have  juftified, 
but  a certainty  that  I could  not  be  relieved:  in 
that  case,  I fhould  have  fought  before  I was 
hemmed  in  by  the  enemy’s  works,  believing  a 
vidtory,  over  great  difparity  of  numbers  in 
the  open  field,  to  be  poffible ; but  a fuccefstul 
defence,  without  relief,  in  fuch  a poft,  and 
againft  fuch  an  attack,  to  be  impollible. 

My  refolution  at  last,  of  attempting  to  efcape 
with  part  of  the  army,  could  only  have  been 
didtated  by  defpair.  The  enemy’s  immenfe 
train  of  battering  artillery  had  now  nearly  re- 
duced our  fredi  earthen  works  to  ruins:  The 
attacks  were  condudted  with  fo  much  caution, 

that 


XIV 


INTRODUCTION. 

that  we  had  no  opportunity  of  making  any 
material  impreffion  upon  them : The  batteries 
of  the  fecond  parallel,  which  I knew  in  a few 
hours  would  compel  us  to  furrender  at  difcre- 
tion,  were  nearly  completed;  and  I had  then 
loft  all  hopes  of  relief.  If  the  hidden  gale  of 
wind  had  not  prevented  our  paftage  of  the 
river,  Brigadier  de  Choify,  who  lay  with  a fmall 
corps  a few  miles  from  Gloucefter,  would  have 
been  attacked  at  day-break  by  the  greateft  part 
of  our  force ; after  which,  being  without  bag- 
gage, I ftiould  have  gained  the  upper  country 
by  rapid  marches,  mounting  my  infantry,  by 
colledting  horfes  on  the  way,  and  leaving  my 
intended  route  doubtful,  until  I was  oppofite 
to  the  fords  of  the  great  rivers;  I then  in- 
tended to  have  turned  off  to  the  northward, 
expecting  that  the  enemy  would  principally 
take  their  meafures  to  prevent  my  efcape  to  the 
fouthward.  The  fuccefs  of  this  attempt  would, 
no  doubt,  have  been  precarious;  and  I cannot 
fay  that  it  would  have  been  pradticable  to  have 
reached  New  York ; but,  in  our  defperate  litu- 
ation,  I thought  it  well  deferved  a trial. 

I fhall  make  no  other  remark  upon  the  enu- 
meration that  is  made  of  the  troops  under  my 
orders,  than  that  a great  part  of  them  were 

difperfed 


XV 


INTRODUCTION. 

difperfed  in  garrifons,  totally  out  of  my  reach, 
and  that  fome  regiments  had  hardly  any  ex- 
iftence,  but  in  name,  I am  not  in  polTeffion 
of  the  general  returns  of  the  fouthern  diftridt 
for  the  year  1781,  but  thofe  of  the  corps  under 
my  immediate  command,  at  different  periods, 
are  annexed  to  the  Correfpondence, 

During  that  campaign,  I reckoned  among 
the  many  other  embarralffnents  which  I had 
to  encounter,  that,  on  fome  important  occa- 
lions,  it  was  impoffible  to  communicate  with, 
or  to  receive  inftrudlions  from  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  in  time  to  enable  me  to  adt  according 
to  his  wishes : But,  I trust,  it  will  appear  from 
the  Correfpondence  now  laid  before  the  public, 
— that  our  failure  in  North  Carolina  was  not 
occaiioned  by  our  want  of  force  to  protedt  the 
rifmg  of  our  friends,  but  by  their  timidity,  and 
unwillingnefs  to  take  an  adtive  and  ufeful  part, 
— that  the  move  to  Wilmington  was  rendered 
neceffary  from  the  dilfreffes  of  the  troops, 
and  the  fufferings  of  the  numerous  sick  and 
wounded, — that  the  march  into  Virginia  was 
undertaken  for  urgent  reafons,  which  could 
not  admit  of  my  waiting  for  the  approbation 
of  the  Commander  in  Chief — that  I did  not 
eftabliff  the  ftation  in  Virginia,  but  only  re- 
inforce 


XVI 


INTRODUCTION, 
inforce  it, — that  I occupied  the  pofts  of  York 
and  Gloucefter  hy  order,  and  was  induced  to 
remain  in  them  by  the  profpedt  of  relief,  uni- 
formly held  out  to  me  by  the  Commander  in 
Chief, — and,  that,  during  the  confiderable 
interval  between  my  arrival  at  Peterfburgh, 
and  that  of  the  French  fleet  in  the  Chefapeak, 
my  corps  was  completely  at  the  difpofal  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  either  to  be  withdrawn, 
or  employed  in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  or  fent 
back  to  the  Carolinas, — and  confequently,  that 
my  condudt  and  opinions  were  not  the  caufes 
of  the  cataftrophe,  which  terminated  the  un- 
fortunate campaign  of  1781. 

CORNWALLIS. 

M ansfield-Street, 

Feb.  10,  1783. 


C O R R E- 


CORRESPONDENCE 

BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  I. 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  CAMPAIGN  IN- 
NORTH  CAROLINA. 


NUMBER  I. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated  Camp 
on  Turkey-Creek,  Broad  River,  Jan.  i8,  1781. 

S I R, 

IN  my  letter  of  the  6th  of  this  month,  I had  the 
honour  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  I was 
ready  to  begin  my  march  for  North  Carolina,  having 
been  delayed  fome  days  by  a diverfion  made  by  the 
enemy  towards  Ninety-fix.  General  Morgan  ftill 
remained  on  the  Pacolet;  his  corps,  by  the  befi:  ac- 
c counts 


2 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

counts  I could  get,  confifted  of  about  five  hundred 
men,  continental  and  Virginia  ftate  troops,  and  one 
hundred  cavalry  under  Colonel  Wafhington,  and  fix 
or  feven  hundred  militia:  but  that  body  is  fo  fludlu- 
ating,  that  it  is  impoflible  to  afcertain  its  number, 
within  fome  hundreds,  for  three  days  following. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton,  with  the  legion  and 
corps  annexed  to  it,  confifting  of  about  three  hun- 
dred cavalry  and  as  many  infantry,  and  the  firft  bat- 
talion of  the  feventy-firfi:  regiment,  and  one  three- 
pounder,  had  already  pafled  the  Broad  River  for  the 
relief  of  Ninety-fix.  I therefore  diredted  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Tarleton  to  march  on  the  Weft  of  Broad 
River,  to  endeavour  to  ftrike  a blow  at  General  Mor- 
gan, and  at  all  events  to  oblige  him  to  repafs  the 
Broad  River;  I likewife  ordered  that  he  fhould  take 
with  him  the  feventh  regiment  and  one  three-pounder, 
which  were  marching  to  reinforce  the  garrifon  or 
Ninety-fix,  as  long  as  he  fhould  think  their  fervices 
could  be  useful  to  him.  The  remainder  of  the  army 
marched  between  the  Broad  River  and  Catawba. 

As  General  Greene  had  quitted  Mecklenburgh- 
county,  and  crolTed  the  Pedee,  I made  not  the  leaft 
doubt  that  General  Morgan  would  retire  on  our  ad- 
vancing. The  progrefs  of  the  army  was  greatly  im- 
peded by  heavy  rains,  which  fwelled  the  rivers  and 
creeks;  yet  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  conduced 
his  march  fo  well,  and  got  fo  near  to  General  Mor- 
gan who  was  retreating  before  him,  as  to  make  it 

dangerous 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


3 


dangerous  for  him  to  pafs  Broad  River,  and  came  up 
with  him  at  eight  o’clock  of  the  morning  of  the  17th 
inftant.  Every  thing  now  bore  the  moll  promifing 
afpedl:  the  enemy  were  drawn  up  in  an  open  wood, 
and,  having  been  lately  joined  by  fome  militia,  were 
more  numerous ; but  the  different  quality  of  the  corps 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton’s  command,  and 
his  great  fuperiority  in  cavalry,  left  him  no  room  to 
doubt  of  the  moft  brilliant  fuccefs.  The  attack  was 
begun  by  the  firft  line  of  infantry,  confifting  of  the 
feventh  regiment,  the  infantry  of  the  legion  and  corps 
of  light-infantry  annexed  to  it;  a troop  of  cavalry  was 
placed  on  each  flank;  the  firft  battalion  of  the  feventy- 
firft,  and  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry,  formed  the 
referve.  The  enemy’s  line  foon  gave  way,  and  their 
militia  quitted  the  field;  but  our  troops  having  been 
thrown  into  fome  diforder  by  the  purfuit.  General 
Morgan’s  corps  faced  about  and  gave  them  an  hearty 
fire;  this  unexpecfted  event  occafioned  the  utmoft  con- 
fufion  in  the  firft  line;  the  firft  battalion  of  the  feventy- 
firft  and  the  cavalry  were  fucceftively  ordered  up;  but 
neither  the  exertions,  intreaties,  or  example,  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Tarleton,  could  prevent  the  panic 
from  becoming  general.  The  two  three-pounders 
were  taken,  and  I fear  the  colours  of  the  feventh  regi- 
ment fhared  the  fame  fate.  In  juftice  to  the  detach- 
ment of  the  royal  artillery,  I muft  here  obferve,  that 
no  terror  could  induce  them  to  abandon  their  guns, 
and  they  were  all  either  killed  or  wounded  in  the  de- 
fence 


_L  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

fence  of  them.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  with 
difficulty  affembled  fifty  of  his  cavalry,  who  having 
had  time  to  recollebt  themfelves,  and  being  animated 
by  the  bravery  of  the  officer  who  had  fo  often  led  them 
to  victory,  charged  and  repulfed  Colonel  Walhington’s 
horfe,  retook  the  baggage  of  the  corps,  and  cut  to 
pieces  the  detachment  of  the  enemy  who  had  taken 
poffieffilon  of  it;  and,  after  deftroying  what  they  could 
not  conveniently  bring  off,  retired  with  the  remainder 
unmolefted  to  Hamilton’s  ford,  near  the  mouth  of 
Bullock’s  creek.  The  lofs  of  our  cavalry  is  incon- 
fiderable;  but  I fear  about  four  hundred  of  the  in- 
fantry are  either  killed,  wounded,  or  taken;  I will 
tranfmit  the  particular  account  of  the  lofs  as  foon  as 
it  can  be  afcertained. 

It  is  impoffible  to  forefee  all  the  confequences  that 
this  unexpedled  and  extraordinary  event  may  produce; 
but  your  Excellency  may  be  affured,  that  nothing  but 
the  moft  abfolute  neceffity  ffiall  induce  me  to  give  up 
the  important  objedl  of  the  winter’s  campaign. 

I fhall  diredt  Lieutenant-Colonel  Balfour  to  tranf- 
mit a copy  of  this  letter,  by  the  firft;  opportunity,  to 
the  Secretary  of  State. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


5 


NUMBER  II. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New  York,  March  ^th,  1781. 

[Received  June,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I WAS  honoured  with  your  Lordlhip’s  difpatches 
dated  the  i8th  of  November,  the  3d,  4th,  6th,  7th, 
lid,  and  29th  of  December;  and  3d,  6th,  and  i8th 
of  January,  by  the  Halifax  Hoop  of  war,  on  the  i6th 
ultimo.  And,  by  the  Mercury  packet,  which  will  fail 
in  a day  or  two  for  Europe,  I propofe  to  tranfmit 
copies  of  fuch  of  them  to  the  Minifter  as  may  be 
neceflary  for  his  Majefty’s  information. 

What  your  Lordlhip  obferves,  in  your  letter  of  the 
4th  December,  I am  very  fenfible  of;  and  am  fully 
perfuaded  that  no  reprefentation  I can  make  will  have 
any  effedt  upon  men  loft  to  every  fenfe  of  humanity. 

I am  forty  to  fay,  my  Lord,  that  I have  the  fame 
reafon  to  lament  the  want  of  fafe  conveyances  for  my 
difpatches,  which  your  Lordlhip  regrets  in  your  letter 
of  the  6th  January,  having  had  feveral  prepared  for 
vour  Lordlhip  ever  since  the  beginning  of  that  month. 
And  I am  even  now  obliged  to  truft  them  by  the  pre- 
carious conveyance  of  a merchant  veftel,  as  I have  in 
vain  applied  for  a ftiip  of  war  for  thefe  two  months 
paft  for  the  purpofe. 

I requeft  your  Lordlhip’s  forgivenefs  for  the  omif- 

fton 


6 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


fion  I was  guilty  of,  in  not  anfwering  the  paragraph 
of  your  letter  of  the  30th  June,  relative  to  Lieutenant- 
governor  Graham.  As  there  are  now  no  Refugees  in 
Georgia,  and  of  courfe  no  occafion  for  fuch  an  office 
as  that  to  which  he  was  appointed;  and  as  he  is  now 
in  full  poffeffion  of  his  property,  and  does  not  feem 
to  wiffi  for  a continuance  of  the  employment,  it  is 
very  proper  that  it  fhould  ceafe — and  but  reafonable 
that  Mr.  Graham  fhould  be  reimburfed  for  the  fums 
he  has  advanced,  as  well  as  paid  his  falary  of  twenty 
(hillings  per  day  for  himfelf  and  clerk,  from  the  3d 
of  March  to  the  period  he  ceafed  to  ad. 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleafure  to  learn  from  your 
Lordfhip,  that  the  army  under  your  command  is  now 
perfedly  healthy,  and  in  good  order. 

I am  forry  the  oat-fhips  met  with  an  accident  off 
Charles-town  bar.  It  is  a rifk,  in  my  opinion,  which 
every  fleet  runs  that  anchors  there.  Surely  it  would 
have  been  better  for  them  to  have  flood  off,  and  on; 
— but  of  thofe  fea  matters  I am,  of  courfe,  not  a com- 
petent judge. 

I am  glad  to  find  that  your  Lordfhip  intends  to 
fend  the  viduallers,  and  all  fuch  tranfports,  to  En- 
gland, as  are  unfit  for  fervice;  their  fpeedy  return 
being  moft  earneftly  defired.  I would  wifh  to  have 
all  fuch  invalids,  whofe  times  of  fervice  do  not  entitle 
them  to  Chelfea,  and  though  unfit  for  fervice  in  the 
field,  may  be  able  to  do  duty  in  garrifon,  fent  here 
from  time  to  time,  that  they  may  be  placed  in  the 

garrifon 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


1 


garrifon  battalion,  which  will  finally  infure  to  them 
his  Majefty’s  royal  bounty. 

As  I underftand  the  Chatham  has  brought  out  fifty 
thoufand pounds  in  fpecieto  Charles-town,  your  Lord- 
Ihip’s  difficulties  with  regard  to  money  will  have  been 
removed.  But  I cannot  fay  fo  much  for  ours. 

Lord  George  Germain  having  informed  me,  “As 
“ Major  Rofs  was  of  opinion  that  many  of  the  pri- 
“ foners  in  our  hands  in  Carolina  might  be  induced 
“ to  ferve  on  board  the  King’s  fhips,  or  in  privateers, 
“ or  inlift  in  the  regiments  ferving  in  the  Weft  Indies, 
“ or  go  as  volunteers  upon  expeditions  in  that  quarter, 
“ he  had  recommended  to  your  Lordfhip  to  get  rid 
“ of  all  you  could  in  thofe  feveral  ways,  or  in  any 
“ other  your  Lordfhip  fhould  think  fit  to  be  adopted;” 
it  is  unneceflary  for  me  to  add  any  thing  upon  that 
fubjedl,  but  to  fay,  that  I leave  them  entirely  to  your 
Lordfhip’s  dispofal. 

I wifh  it  had  been  poffible  to  have  procured  the 
horfes  for  General  Vaughan;  as  I fear  the  troops  may 
fuffer  from  the  drudgeries  they  were  intended  to  per- 
form. 

I know  not  at  prefent  how  it  is  poffible,  my  Lord, 
to  avoid  the  expence  of  quartering  the  troops  at 
Charles-town,  confiftent  with  the  terms  of  the  capi- 
tulation; but  I will  endeavour  to  find  fome  means  of 
doing  it,  if  it  be  pradlicable. 

I am  moft  exceedingly  concerned,  my  Lord,  at  the 
unfortunate  affair  of  the  17th  January.  From  the 

account 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


account  your  Lordfhip  gives  me  of  it,  I fear  Morgan 
has  been  in  very  great  force,  that  our  firft  line  has 
been  too  impetuous,  and  that  the  referve  has  fuftained 
the  other  too  nearly,  and  probably  in  too  loofe  order; 
and  that  the  enemy  has  moved  againft  them  in  that 
critical  fituation.  I confefs  I dread  the  confequences; 
but  my  hope  is,  as  it  ever  will  be,  in  your  Lordfhip’s 
abilities  and  exertions. 

I lhall  always  be  happy  in  paying  every  attention 
to  your  recommendations  in  filling  up  the  vacancies 
in  the  thirty-third  regiment,  as  I fhall  be  conftantly 
guided  by  your  Lordfhip’s  wifhes  with  refpedt  to  the 
promotions  of  your  own  regiment.  I have  already 
had  an  opportunity  of  fulfilling  my  intentions  refpedt- 
ing  Colonel  Webfter;  but  this  is  too  unfafe  a convey- 
ance to  truft  the  commiffion  by. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


9 


NUMBER  III. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated  Camp 
near  Wilmington,  April  lo,  1781. 

S I R, 

I AM  juft  informed  that  I have  a chance  of  fend- 
ing a few  lines  to  New  York  by  the  Amphitrite,  but 
as  it  depends  upon  my  being  expeditious,  I cannot 
attempt  to  give  your  Excellency  a particular  account 
of  the  winter’s  campaign,  or  the  battle  of  Guildford. 
I have  however  the  fatisfadtion  of  informing  you, 
that  our  military  operations  were  uniformly  fuccefs- 
ful;  and  the  vidlory  of  Guildford,  although  one  of 
the  bloodieft  of  this  war,  was  very  complete.  The 
enemy  gave  themfelves  out  for  nine  or  ten,  and  un- 
doubtedly had  feven,  thoufand  men  in  the  field,  up- 
wards of  two  thoufand  of  which  were  eighteen-months 
men,  or  Continentals. 

Our  force  was  one  thoufand  three  hundred  sixty 
infantry,  rank  and  file,  and  about  two  hundred  ca- 
valry. General  Greene  retreated  the  night  of  the 
adlion  to  the  Iron-works  on  Troublefome  Creek, 
eighteen  miles  from  Guildford,  leaving  us  four  fix- 
pounders,  being  all  the  cannon  he  had  in  the  field. 
The  fatigue  of  the  troops,  and  the  great  number  ot 
wounded,  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  purfue  beyond 
the  Reedy  Fork,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  ablion;  and 
the  want  of  provifions  and  all  kinds  of  neceftaries 

for 


D 


I o Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

tor  the  foldiers,  made  it  equally  impoffible  to  follow 
the  blow  next  day.  I,  therefore,  iffued  the  en- 
clofed  proclamation;  and,  having  remained  two 
days  on  the  field  of  battle,  marched  to  Bell’s-Mill 
on  Deep-river,  near  part  of  the  country  where  the 
greateft  number  of  our  friends  were  fuppofed  to  re- 
fide.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  rode  into  camp,  fhook 
me  by  the  hand,  faid  they  were  glad  to  fee  us,  and 
to  hear  that  we  had  beat  Greene,  and  then  rode 
home  again;  for  I could  not  get  one  hundred  men 
in  all  the  regulator’s  country  to  ftay  with  us,  even  as 
militia. 

With  a third  of  my  army  fick  and  wounded, 
which  I was  obliged  to  carry  in  waggons  or  on 
horfeback,  the  remainder  without  fhoes  and  worn 
down  with  fatigue,  I thought  it  was  time  to  look 
for  fome  place  of  reft  and  refitment;  I,  therefore,  by 
eafy  marches,  taking  care  to  pafs  through  all  the 
fettlements  that  had  been  defcribed  to  me  as  moft 
friendly,  proceeded  to  Cross-Creek.  On  my  arrival 
there,  I found,  to  my  great  mortification,  and  con- 
trary to  all  former  accounts,  that  it  was  impoffible  to 
procure  any  confiderable  quantity  of  provifions,  and 
that  there  was  not  four  days  forage  within  twenty 
miles.  The  navigation  of  Cape  Fear,  with  the  hopes 
of  which  I had  been  flattered,  was  totally  impradi- 
cable,  the  diftance  from  Wilmington  by  water  being 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  the  breadth  of  the 
river  feldom  exceeding  one  hundred  yards,  the  banks 

generally 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina.  1 1 

generally  high,  and  the  inhabitants  on  each  fide  al- 
moft  univerfally  hollile.  Under  thefe  circumftances 
I determined  to  move  immediately  to  Wilmington. 
By  this  meafure  the  Highlanders  have  not  had  fo 
much  time  as  the  people  of  the  upper  country,  to 
prove  the  fincerity  of  their  former  profeflions  of 
friendfhip.  But,  though  appearances  are  rather  more 
favourable  among  them,  I confefs  they  are  not  equal 
to  my  expeflations. 

General  Greene  marched  down  as  low  as  the  mouth 
of  Deep-River,  where  he  remained  four  days  ago; 
he  never  came  within  our  reach  after  the  adion,  nor 
has  a fhot  been  fince  fired,  except  at  Ramfey’s-Mill 
on  Deep-River,  where  Colonel  Malmedy,  with  about 
twenty  of  a gang  of  plunderers  that  are  attached  to 
him,  galloped  in  among  the  centries  and  carried  off 
three  iagers. 

I cannot  fufficiently  commend  the  behaviour  of 
both  officers  and  men  under  my  command.  They 
not  only  fhewed  the  moft  persevering  intrepidity  in 
adion,  but  underwent  with  cheerfulnefs  fuch  fatigues 
and  hardlhips  as  have  feldom  been  experienced  by  a 
Britifh  army,  and  juftly  merit  every  mark  of  favour 
and  reward.  The  great  alhftance  which  I received 
from  Generals  Leflie  and  0‘Hara,  and  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Tarleton,  deferves  my  warmeff;  acknowledg- 
ments and  higheft  commendations. 

I am  now  employed  in  difpofing  of  the  fick  and 
wounded,  and  in  procuring  fupplies  of  all  kinds,  to 

put 


I 2 Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

put  the  troops  into  a proper  ftate  to  take  the  field. 
I am,  likewife,  impatiently  looking  out  for  the  ex- 
pected reinforcement  from  Europe,  part  of  which 
will  be  indifpenfably  neceffary  to  enable  me  either  to 
aft  olfienfively,  or  even  to  maintain  myfelf  in  the 
upper  parts  of  the  country,  where  alone  I can  hope 
to  preferve  the  troops  from  the  fatal  ficknefs  which 
fo  nearly  ruined  the  army  laft  autumn. 

I am  very  anxious  to  receive  your  Excellency’s 
commands,  being  as  yet  totally  in  the  dark  as  to  the 
intended  operations  of  the  fummer.  I cannot  help 
exprefiing  my  wilhes  that  the  Chefapeak  may  become 
the  feat  of  war,  even  (if  neceflary)  at  the  expence  of 
abandoning  New-York.  Until  Virginia  is  in  a man- 
ner fubdued,  our  hold  of  the  Carolinas  mull  be  diffi- 
cult, if  not  precarious.  The  rivers  of  Virginia  are 
advantageous  to  an  invading  army,  but  North-Caro- 
lina  is,  of  all  the  provinces  in  America,  the  mod; 
difficult  to  attack,  (unless  material  affiftance  could  be 
got  from  the  inhabitants,  the  contrary  of  which  I 
have  fufficiently  experienced)  on  account  of  its  great 
extent,  of  the  numberlefs  rivers  and  creeks,  and  the 
total  want  of  interior  navigation. 

In  compliance  with  your  Excellency’s  general  di- 
reftions,  I fhall  difpatch  my  Aid-de-camp,  Captain 
Brodrick,  to  England,  with  the  particular  accounts 
of  the  battle  of  Guildford,  of  the  winter’s  campaign, 
and  the  prefent  ftate  of  the  province,  copies  of  which 

I ffiall 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


13 

I fhall  have  the  honour  of  tranfmitting  to  your  Ex- 
cellency with  my  next  difpatch. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORN  ALLIS. 


NUMBER  IV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis.,  dated 
New-York,  April  30,  1781. 

' \_Received  June,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

CAPTAIN  Biggs,  of  his  Majefty’s  fhip  Amphi- 
trite,  who  arrived  here  the  22d,  has  delivered  to  me 
vour  Lordfhip’s  two  letters  from  Wilmington,  of  the 
loth  inftant,  informing  me  of  your  having  obtained 
a compleat  victory  over  the  rebel  General  Greene, 
near  Guildford,  on  the  15th  ult.  on  which  occafion  I 
beg  leave,  my  Lord,  to  offer  your  Lordfhip  my  moft 
hearty  congratulations,  and  to  requeft  you  will  prefent 
my  thanks  to  Major-General  Leflie,  Brigadier-general 
0‘Hara,  and  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton,  for  the 
great  affiftance  you  received  from  them,  and  to  the 
officers  and  men  under  your  command,  for  their 
great  exertions  on  the  march  through  Carolina,  and 
their  perfevering  intrepidity  in  adtion. 


The 


14 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


The  difparity  of  numbers  between  your  Lordfhip’s 
force  and  that  of  the  enemy  oppofed  to  you,  appears 
to  be  very  great;  and,  I confefs,  I am  at  fome  lofs  to 
guefs  how  your  Lordlhip  came  to  be  reduced  before 
the  aftion  to  one  thoufand  three  hundred  and  fixty 
infantry,  as,  by  the  diftribution  fent  to  me  in  your 
letter  of  the  6th  of  January,  I am  to  fuppofe  it  was 
your  intention  to  take  with  you  the  regiments  men- 
tioned in  the  margin, J which  (notwithftanding  the 
lofs  of  the  feventy-firft  and  legion,  in  the  unfortunate 
affair  of  Cowpens)  I fhould  imagine  muft  have 
amounted  to  confiderably  above  three  thoufand,  ex- 
clufive  of  cavalry  and  militia. 

Before  I was  favoured  with  your  Lordfhip’s  letter, 
the  rebel  account  of  the  battle  of  Guildford  had  led 
me,  indeed,  to  hope,  that  its  confequences  would 
have  been  more  decihve,  and  that  Greene  would 
have  re-paffed  the  Roanoke,  and  left  your  Lordfhip 
at  liberty  to  purfue  the  objedls  of  your  move  into 

North 


t Brigade  of  Guards, 
Twenty-third, 
Thirty-third, 

Seventy-firft,  two  Battalions, 
lagers. 

Regiment  of  Bofe, 
Light  Infantry,  Seventy-firft, 
and 

Legion, 

North-Carolina  Regiment. 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


15 


North  Carolina.  Under  the  perfuafion,  therefore, 
that  you  would  foon  be  able  to  finifh  your  arrange- 
ments for  the  fecurity  of  the  Carolinas,  I fubmitted 
to  you  in  my  letter  of  the  13th  inftant,  (a  duplicate 
of  which  I have  the  honour  to  enclofe)  the  propriety 
in  that  cafe  of  your  going  in  a frigate  to  Chefapeak, 
and  direbting  fuch  corps  to  follow  you  thither  as  you 
judged  could  be  bell  fpared.  But,  as  it  is  now 
probable  that  your  Lordlhip’s  prefence  in  Carolina 
cannot  be  fo  foon  difpenfed  with,  I make  no  doubt 
that  you  will  think  it  right  to  communicate  to  Major- 
general  Phillips,  without  delay,  the  plan  of  your 
future  operations  in  that  quarter,  together  with  your 
opinion  how  the  Chefapeak  army  can  bell  direbt  their’s 
to  aflift  them.  That  General-officer  has  already  under 
his  orders  three  thoufand  five  hundred  men,  and  I 
fhall  fend  him  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  more, 
which  are  now  embarked,  and  will  fail  whenever  the 
Admiral  is  ready. 

With  thefe,  my  Lord,  which  are  rank  and  file  fit 
for  duty,  and  great  part  of  them  taken  from  the 
elite  of  my  army.  General  Phillips  is  direbted  by  his 
inftrublions  to  abt  in  favour  of  your  Lordfhip,  to 
the  befi:  of  his  own  judgment,  until  he  receives  your 
orders,  and  afterwards  in  fuch  manner  as  you  may 
pleafe  to  command  him,  &c.  But  I ffiall  be  forry 
to  find  your  Lordfhip  continue  in  the  opinion  that 
our  hold  of  the  Carolinas  mufl:  be  difficult,  if  not 
precarious,  until  Virginia  is  in  a manner  fubdued,  as 

that 


1 6 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

that  is  an  event  which,  I fear,  would  require  a con- 
hderable  fpace  of  time  to  accomplifh,  and,  as  far  as 
I can  judge,  it  might  be  not  quite  fo  expedient  at 
this  advanced  feason  of  the  year  to  enter  into  a long 
operation  in  that  climate.  — This,  however,  will 
greatly  depend  upon  circumftances,  of  which  your 
Lordlhip  and  General  Phillips  may  probably  be 
better  judges  hereafter. 

With  regard  to  the  operations  of  the  fummer, 
which  your  Lordfhip  is  anxious  to  receive  my  di- 
red;ions  about,  you  cannot  but  be  fenfible  that 
they  muft  in  great  meafure  depend  on  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  fuccefles  in  Carolina,  the  certainty  and  num- 
bers of  the  expefted  reinforcement  from  Europe,  and, 
likewife,  on  your  Lordlhip’s  fending  back  to  me  the 
corps  I had  fpared  to  you,  under  Major-general 
Leflie,  which  Colonel  Rawdon,  in  his  letter  of  the 
31ft  of  October,  told  me  you  could  return  in  the 
fpring.  For  until  I am  informed  of  the  particulars 
of  your  Lordfhip’s  march  through  North  Carolina, 
the  effective  ftrength  of  your  moving  army,  your 
plan  of  operations  for  carrying  thofe  objecdis  you  had 
or  may  have  in  view,  into  execution,  as  well  by 
the  corps  adling  under  your  own  immediate  orders, 
as  thofe  adling  in  co-operation  under  Major-general 
Phillips,  it  muft  be  obvioufly  impoflible  for  me  to 
determine  finally  upon  a plan  of  operations  for  the 
campaign. 


1 was 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


17 


I was  indeed  in  great  hopes  that  your  fuccefles  in 
North  Carolina  would  have  been  fuch  as  to  have  put 
it  in  my  power  to  avail  myself  of  a large  portion  of 
your  Lordfhip’s  army,  the  whole  Chefapeak  corps, 
and  the  entire  reinforcement  from  Europe,  for  this 
campaign’s  operations  to  the  northward  of  Carolina: 
but  I obferve  with  concern,  from  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter,  that  fo  far  from  being  in  a condition  to  fpare 
me  any  part  of  your  prefent  force,  you  are  of  opinion 
that  part  of  the  European  reinforcement  will  be  in- 
difpenfibly  neceffary  to  enable  you  to  adt  offenfively, 
or  even  to  maintain  yourfelf  in  the  upper  parts  of 
the  country. 

Had  I known  what  your  Lordfhip’s  further  offen- 
five  meafures  were  intended  to  be  for  the  remaining 
part  of  the  feafon,  I might  now  have  given  an  opi- 
nion upon  them,  as  well  as  upon  the  probable  co- 
operation of  the  corps  in  the  Chefapeak,  without 
having  which  it  will  be  fcarce  poffible  for  me  to  form 
any;  for  as  I faid  before,  I fear  no  solid  operation 
can  be  carried  on  to  the  northward  of  Chefapeak 
before  thofe  to  the  fouthward  of  it  are  totally  at  an 
end,  either  from  fuccefs,  or  the  feafon;  and  my 
letter  to  your  Lordfhip  of  the  6th  of  November  will 
have  informed  you  what  were  my  ideas  of  the  opera- 
tions proper  to  be  purfued  in  Chefapeak,  and  my 
expedlations  from  them,  had  circumlfances  admitted 
of  my  purfuing  the  plan  to  its  full  extent.  But  I 
mufl  now  defer  fixing  ultimately  on  a plan  tor  the 
E campaign 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


campaign,  until  I am  made  acquainted  with  the  final 
fuccefs  of  your  Lordfhip’s  operations,  your  profpefts 
and  fentiments,  and  I can  judge  what  force  I can 
colled:  for  fuch  meafures  as  I can  then  determine 
upon. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


D uPLiCATE.  Inclofed  in  Number  IV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  New- 
Tork,  April  13,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

AS  it  appears,  even  from  the  Rebel  account  of 
the  adion,  that  your  Lordfhip  has  gained  a vidory 
over  Greene;  and  it  is  probable  he  may  in  confe- 
quence  have  repafled  the  Roanoke,  I beg  leave  to 
fubmit  to  your  Lordfhip,  the  propriety  of  your 
coming  to  Chefapeak  Bay  in  a frigate  as  foon  as  you 
have  finifhed  your  arrangements  for  the  fecurity  of 
the  Carolinas,  and  you  judge  that  affairs  there  are  in 
fuch  a train  as  no  longer  to  require  your  prefence; 
direding  at  the  fame  time  fuch  troops  to  follow  you 
thither,  as  your  Lordfhip  is  of  opinion  can  be  beft 


By 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


^9 

By  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bruce’s  arrival  I am  made 
acquainted  that  fix  Britilh  regiments  are  intended  as 
an  immediate  reinforcement  to  the  army  under  my 
command;  fhould  therefore  any  of  thefe  corps  flop 
at  Carolina  your  Lordfhip  may  probably  dired  them 
either  to  replace  fuch  troops  as  follow  you,  or  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  the  Chefapeak. 

Agreeable  to  what  I have  already  faid  to  your 
Lordfhip  in  my  letters  of  the  ist  of  June  and  6th  of 
November,  it  is  my  wifh  that  you  fhould  continue 
to  condud  operations  as  they  advance  northerly; 
for,  except  as  a vifitor,  I fhall  not  probably  move 
to  Chefapeak,  unlefs  Wafhington  goes  thither  in 
great  force.  The  fuccefs  which  has  hitherto  attended 
your  Lordfhip  excites  the  fulleft  affurance  of  its  con- 
tinuance; and  as  it  is  my  inclination  to  alfift  your 
operations  to  the  utmofi;  extent  of  my  power,  I am 
convinced,  from  your  difintereffednefs,  that  you  will 
not  afk  from  me  a larger  proportion  of  troops  than 
I can  polTibly  fpare. 

As  this  goes  by  an  unarmed  veffel  to  Chefapeak, 
Major  General  Philips  will  add  what  he  thinks  ne- 
ceffary  to  it,  and  forward  it  to  Cape  Fear. 

The  Admiral  has  at  laft  confented  that  the  Medea 
fhall  fail  for  Cape  Fear,  as  foon  as  fhe  is  ready. 
Perhaps  your  Lordfhip  may  take  that  opportunity 
of  returning  in  her;  and,  if  we  can  prevail  upon  the 
Admiral,  or  Commanding  Naval  officer  here,  to 
fpare  Captain  Duncan  to  condud  the  naval  part  of 

our 


■20 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


our  bufinefs  in  the  Chefapeak,  I think  we  fhall  have 
gained  a great  point. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  V. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  dated  Wilmington, 
April  23,  1781. 

S I R, 

I HAVE  the  honour  to  inclofe  to  you  a dupli- 
cate of  my  letter  of  the  loth,  fent  by  the  Amphitrite, 
and  copies  of  all  my  letters  to  the  Secretary  of  State; 
as  they  contain  the  moft  exa6l  account  of  every  tranf- 
ablion  of  the  campaign,  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  things 
in  this  diftrid:,  of  my  great  apprehenfions  from  the 
movement  of  General  Greene  towards  Camden,  and 
my  refolutions  in  confequence  of  it,  I have  nothing 
to  add  to  it  for  your  Excellency’s  fatisfadion.  Neither 
my  cavalry  or  infantry  are  in  readinefs  to  move;  the 
former  are  in  want  of  every  thing,  the  latter  of  every 
neceffary  but  fhoes,  of  which  we  have  received  an 
ample  fupply;  I muft  however  begin  my  march  to- 
morrow. It  is  very  difagreeable  to  me  to  decide 
upon  meafures  fo  very  important,  and  of  fuch  confe- 
quence to  the  general  condud  of  the  war,  without  an 

opportunity 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina.  21 

opportunity  of  procuring  your  Excellency’s  diredlions 
or  approbation;  but  the  delay  and  difficulty  of  con- 
veying letters,  and  the  impoffibility  of  waiting  for 
anfwers,  render  it  indifpenhbly  neceffary.  My  prefent 
undertaking  fits  heavy  on  my  mind;  I have  experi- 
enced the  diftreffes  and  dangers  of  marching  fome 
hundreds  of  miles,  in  a country  chiefly  hoftile,  with- 
out one  aftive  or  ufeful  friend;  without  intelligence, 
and  without  communication  with  any  part  of  the 
country.  The  fltuation  in  which  I leave  South 
Carolina  adds  much  to  my  anxiety;  yet  I am  under 
the  neceffity  of  adopting  this  hazardous  enterprife 
haftily,  and  with  the  appearance  of  precipitation,  as 
I And  there  is  no  profpeft  of  fpeedy  reinforcement 
from  Europe,  and  that  the  return  of  General  Greene 
to  North  Carolina,  either  with  or  without  fuccefs, 
would  put  a jundtion  with  General  Phillips  out  of 
my  power. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Copy 


22 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


Inclofed  in  Number  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s difpatch,  No.  6,  to  Lord  George 
Germain^  dated  Guildford,  March  17,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

YOUR  Lordfliip’s  difpatch  No.  i,  dated  the 
9th  of  November  ult.  was  delivered  to  me  by  my 
Aid-de-Camp,  Major  Rofs.  The  officers  and  foldiers 
who  fought  fo  gallantly  on  the  i6th  of  Auguft  re- 
ceived with  the  warmeft  fenfe  of  gratitude  the  royal 
approbation  of  their  behaviour;  and  it  is  particularly 
plealing  to  me,  that  my  conduct;  has  given  fatisfaftion 
to  his  Majefty  and  to  his  Minifters. 

By  the  long  interruption  of  our  communication 
with  South  Carolina  I have  not  been  informed 
whether  Lieutenant-Governor  Bull,  and  the  other 
civil  officers,  have  arrived  in  that  province. 

I fhall  pay  proper  attention  to  your  Lordfhip’s 
diredlions  upon  that  fubjedt,  as  well  as  relating  to  the 
prifoners  of  war  confined  at  Charles-town.  There 
are  at  prefent  fome  hopes  that  a negotiation  now  on 
foot,  between  me  and  General  Greene,  will  terminate 
in  a cartel  for  their  exchange:  if  it  fails,  I fhall  en- 
deavour to  difpofe  of  them  in  the  manner  recom- 
mended by  your  Lordffiip,  the  expence  and  incon- 
venience of  keeping  them  being  intolerable. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


-3 


Inclofed  in  Number  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s dijpatch,  No.  7,  to  Lord  George 
Germain,  dated  Guildford,  March  17,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

HAVING  occafion  to  difpatch  my  Aid-de-Camp, 
Captain  Brodrick,  with  the  particulars  of  the  action 
of  the  15th,  in  compliance  with  general  diredtions 
from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  I fhall  embrace  the  oppor- 
tunity to  give  your  Lordfhip  an  account  of  the  ope- 
rations of  the  troops  under  my  command  previous 
to  that  event,  and  of  thofe  fubfequent,  until  the  de- 
parture of  Captain  Brodrick. 

My  plan  for  the  winter’s  campaign  was  to  pene- 
trate into  North  Carolina,  leaving  South  Carolina 
in  fecurity  againft  any  probable  attack  in  my  abfence. 
Lord  Rawdon  with  a confiderable  body  of  troops 
had  charge  of  the  defenfive,  and  I proceeded  about 
the  middle  of  January  upon  the  offenlive  operations. 
I decided  to  march  by  the  upper  in  preference  to  the 
lower  roads  leading  into  North  Carolina,  becaufe 
fords  being  frequent  above  the  forks  of  the  rivers, 
my  paflage  there  could  not  eafdy  be  obftrufted,  and 
General  Greene  having  taken  poll  on  the  Pedee,  and 
there  being  few  fords  in  any  of  the  great  Rivers  ot 
this  country  below  their  forks,  efpecially  in  winter, 
I apprehended  being  much  delayed,  if  not  entirely 
prevented  from  penetrating  by  the  latter  route. 

I was 


24 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


I was  the  more  induced  to  prefer  this  route,  as  I 
hoped  in  my  way  to  be  able  to  deftroy  or  drive  out 
of  South  Carolina  the  corps  of  the  enemy  commanded 
by  General  Morgan,  which  threatened  our  valuable 
diftridt  of  Ninety-fix;  and  I likewife  hoped,  by  rapid 
marches,  to  get  between  General  Greene  and  Virginia, 
and  by  that  means  force  him  to  fight  without  receiv- 
ing any  reinforcement  from  that  province;  or  failing 
of  that,  to  oblige  him  to  quit  North  Carolina  with 
precipitation;  and  thereby  encourage  our  friends  to 
make  good  their  promifes  of  a general  rifing  to  affift 
me  in  re-efiablifhing  his  Majefty’s  government. 

The  unfortunate  affair  of  the  17th  of  January  was 
a very  unexpected  and  fevere  blow;  for,  befides  repu- 
tation, our  lofs  did  not  fall  fhort  of  fix  hundred  men. 
However,  being  thoroughly  fenfible  that  defenfive 
meafures  would  be  certain  ruin  to  the  affairs  of  Bri- 
tain in  the  Southern  Colonies,  this  event  did  not 
deter  me  from  profecuting  the  original  plan.  That 
General  Greene  might  be  uncertain  of  my  intended 
route  as  long  as  poffible,  I had  left  General  Leflie  at 
Camden,  until  I was  ready  to  move  from  Wynnef- 
borough,  and  he  was  now  within  a day’s  march  of  me; 
I employed  the  18th  in  forming  a jundlion  with  him, 
and  in  colledling  the  remains  of  Lieutenant-colonel 
Tarleton’s  corps;  after  which,  great  exertions  were 
made  by  part  of  the  army,  without  baggage,  to  retake 
our  prifoners,  and  to  intercept  General  Morgan’s 
corps  on  its  retreat  to  the  Catawba;  but  the  celerity 

of 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina.  25 

of  their  movements,  and  the  fwelling  of  numberlefs 
creeks  in  our  way,  rendered  all  our  efforts  fruitlefs. 

I therefore  alfembled  the  army  on  the  25th  at 
Ramfoure’s  Mill,  on  the  South  Fork  of  the  Catawba, 
and  as  the  lofs  of  my  light  troops  could  only  be  reme- 
died by  the  ablivity  of  the  whole  corps,  I employed 
a halt  of  two  days  in  collebting  fome  flour,  and  in 
deftroying  fuperfluous  baggage  and  all  my  waggons 
except  thofe  loaded  with  hofpital  ftores,  fait,  and  ammu- 
nition, and  four  referved  empty  in  readinefs  for  fick  or 
wounded.  In  this  meafure,  though  at  the  expence  of 
a great  deal  of  officers  baggage,  and  of  all  profpebl  in 
future  of  rum,  and  even  a regular  fupply  of  provifions 
to  the  foldiers,  I muff,  in  juftice  to  this  army,  fay  that 
there  was  the  moft  general  and  cheerful  acquiefcence. 

In  the  meantime  the  rains  had  rendered  the  North 
Catawba  impaffable;  and  General  Morgan’s  corps, 
the  militia  of  the  rebellious  counties  of  Rowan  and 
Mecklenburg  under  General  Davidfon,  or  the  gang 
of  plunderers  ufually  under  the  command  of  General 
Sumpter,  not  then  recovered  from  his  wounds,  had 
occupied  all  the  fords  in  a fpace  of  more  than  forty 
miles  upwards  from  the  fork.  During  its  height,  I 
approached  the  river  by  fhort  marches,  fo  as  to  give 
the  enemy  equal  apprehenfions  for  feveral  fords;  and 
after  having  procured  the  beft  information  in  my 
power,  I refolved  to  attempt  the  paflage  at  a private 
ford  (then  flightly  guarded)  near  M ‘Cowan’s  ford, 
on  the  morning  of  the  iff  of  February. 

F Lieutenant- 


26 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Lieutenant-colonel  Webller  was  detached  with  part 
of  the  army  and  all  the  baggage  to  Beattie’s  Ford, 
fix  miles  above  M ‘Cowan’s,  where  General  Davidfon 
was  fuppofed  to  be  polled  with  five  hundred  militia; 
and  was  directed  to  make  every  polfible  demonftra- 
tion,  by  cannonading  and  otherwife,  of  an  intention 
to  force  a palfage  there;  and  I marched  at  one  in  the 
morning  with  the  brigade  of  guards,  regiment  of 
Bofe,  twenty-third,  two  hundred  cavalry,  and  two 
three-pounders,  to  the  ford  fixed  upon  for  the  real 
attempt. 

The  morning  being  very  dark  and  rainy,  and  part 
of  our  way  through  a wood  where  there  was  no  road, 
one  of  the  three-pounders  in  front  of  the  twenty- 
third  regiment,  and  the  cavalry,  overfet  in  a fwamp, 
and  occafioned  thofe  corps  to  lofe  the  line  of  march, 
and  fome  of  the  artillery-men  belonging  to  the  other 
gun,  (one  of  whom  had  the  match,)  having  flopped 
to  afiifl,  were  likewife  left  behind.  The  head  of  the 
column  in  the  mean  while  arrived  at  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  the  day  began  to  break.  I could  make 
no  ufe  of  the  gun  that  was  up,  and  it  was  evident, 
from  the  number  of  fires  on  the  other  fide,  that  the 
oppofition  would  be  greater  than  I had  expecfled. 
However,  as  I knew  that  the  rain  then  falling  would 
foon  render  the  river  again  impaflable,  and  I had 
received  information  the  evening  before  that  General 
Greene  had  arrived  in  General  Morgan’s  camp,  and 
that  his  army  was  marching  after  him  with  the 

greatefl 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina.  27 

greateft  expedition,  I determined  not  to  defift  from 
the  attempt;  and  therefore,  full  of  confidence  in  the 
zeal  and  gallantry  of  Brigadier-general  0‘Hara  and 
of  the  brigade  of  guards  under  his  command,  I 
ordered  them  to  march  on,  but,  to  prevent  confufion, 
not  to  fire  until  they  gained  the  oppofite  bank. 
Their  behaviour  juftified  my  high  opinion  of  them; 
for  a conftant  fire  from  the  enemy,  in  a ford  upwards 
of  five  hundred  yards  wide,  in  many  places  up  to 
their  middle,  with  a rocky  bottom  and  ftrong  cur- 
rent, made  no  impreffion  on  their  cool  and  determined 
valour,  nor  checked  their  palTage.  The  light  infantry, 
landing  firft,  immediately  formed,  and  in  a few 
minutes  killed  or  difperfed  every  thing  that  appeared 
before  them,  the  reft  of  the  troops  forming  and  ad- 
vancing in  fucceftion.  We  now  learned  that  we  had 
been  oppofed  by  about  three  hundred  militia,  that 
had  taken  poft  there  only  the  evening  before,  under 
the  command  of  General  Davidfon.  Their  general 
and  two  or  three  other  officers  were  among  the 
killed;  the  number  of  wounded  was  uncertain,  and 
a few  were  taken  prifoners.  On  our  fide.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Hall  and  three  men  were  killed,  and  thirty- 
fix  men  wounded,  all  of  the  light  infantry  and  grena- 
diers of  the  guards.  By  this  time  the  rear  of  the 
column  had  joined,  and  the  whole  having  paffed  with 
the  greateft  difpatch,  I detached  Lieutenant-colonel 
Tarleton,  with  the  cavalry  and  twenty-third  regi- 
ment, to  purfue  the  routed  militia.  A few  were  foon 

killed 


28 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


killed  or  taken;  and  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton 
having  learned  that  three  or  four  hundred  of  the 
neighbouring  militia  were  to  affemble  that  day  at 
Tarrants’s  houfe,  about  ten  miles  from  the  ford, 
Laving  his  infantry,  he  went  on  with  the  cavalry, 
and,  finding  the  militia  as  expedled,  he  with  excellent 
condudt  and  great  fpirit  attacked  them  inftantly,  and 
totally  routed  them  with  little  lofs  on  his  fide,  and 
on  their’s  between  forty  and  fifty  killed,  wounded, 
or  prifoners.  This  ftroke,  with  our  palTage  of  the 
ford,  fo  effectually  difpirited  the  militia,  that  we  met 
with  no  further  oppofition  on  our  march  to  the 
Yadkin,  though  one  of  the  moft  rebellious  traCls  in 
America. 

During  this  time  the  rebels  having  quitted  Beattie’s 
Ford,  Lieutenant-colonel  Webfter  was  palling  his 
detachment  and  the  baggage  of  the  army;  this  had 
become  tedious  and  difficult  by  the  continuance  of 
the  rain  and  the  fwelling  of  the  river;  but  all  joined 
us  foon  after  dark  about  fix  miles  from  Beattie’s  ford. 
The  other  fords  were  likewife  abandoned  by  the 
enemy:  the  greateft  part  of  the  militia  difperfed,  and 
General  Morgan  with  his  corps  marched  all  that  af- 
ternoon and  the  following  night  towards  Salilbury. 
We  purfued  next  morning  in  hopes  to  intercept  him 
between  the  rivers;  and,  after  ftruggling  with  many 
difficulties,  arifing  from  fwelled  creeks  and  bad  roads, 
the  guards  came  up  with  his  rear,  in  the  evening  of 
the  third,  routed  it,  and  took  a few  waggons  at  the 

Trading 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


29 


Trading  Ford  of  the  Yadkin. — He  had  palTed  the 
body  of  his  infantry  in  flats,  and  his  cavalry  and 
waggons  by  the  ford,  during  that  day  and  the  pre- 
ceding night;  but  at  the  time  of  our  arrival  the  boats 
were  fecured  on  the  other  fide,  and  the  ford  had  be- 
come impaflable.  The  river  continuing  to  rife,  and 
the  weather  appearing  unfettled,  I determined  to 
march  to  the  upper  fords,  after  procuring  a fmall 
fupply  of  provifions  at  Salifbury.  This,  and  the 
height  of  the  creeks  in  our  way,  detained  me  two 
days;  and  in  that  time  Morgan  having  quitted  the 
banks  of  the  river,  I had  information  from  our 
friends,  who  croffed  in  canoes,  that  General  Greene’s 
army  was  marching  with  the  utmoft  difpatch  to  form 
a junblion  with  him  at  Guildford.  Not  having  had 
time  to  colleft  the  North-Carolina  militia,  and  having 
received  no  reinforcement  from  Virginia,  I concluded 
that  he  would  do  every  thing  in  his  power  to  avoid 
an  adtion  on  the  South  fide  of  the  Dan;  and,  it  being 
my  intereft  to  force  him  to  fight,  I made  great  expe- 
dition, and  got  between  him  and  the  upper  fords; 
and,  being  affured  that  the  lower  fords  are  feldom 
prafticable  in  winter,  and  that  he  could  not  colledt 
many  flats  at  any  of  the  ferries,  I was  in  great  hopes 
that  he  would  not  efcape  me  without  receiving  a 
blow.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  patience  and  alacrity 
of  the  officers  and  foldiers  under  every  fpecies  of 
hardfhip  and  fatigue  in  endeavouring  to  overtake 
him.  But  our  intelligence  upon  this  occafion  was 

exceedingly 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


TO 

exceedingly  defedlive;  which,  with  heavy  rains,  bad 
roads,  and  the  pafTage  of  many  deep  creeks,  and 
bridges  deftroyed  by  the  enemy’s  light  troops,  ren- 
dered all  our  exertions  vain;  for,  upon  our  arrival 
at  Boyd’s  ferry  on  the  15th,  we  learned  that  his  rear- 
guard had  got  over  the  night  before,  his  baggage  and 
main  body  having  pafled  the  preceding  day  at  that 
and  a neighbouring  ferry,  where  more  flats  had  been 
colledled  than  had  been  reprefented  to  me  as  poflible. 

My  force  being  ill  fuited  to  enter  by  that  quarter 
fo  powerful  a province  as  Virginia,  and  North  Caro- 
lina being  in  the  utmofl:  confufion,  after  giving  the 
troops  a halt  of  one  day,  I proceeded  by  eafy  marches 
to  Hillfborough,  where  I ereded  the  king’s  ftandard, 
and  invited  by  proclamation  all  loyal  fubjecfts  to  re- 
pair to  it,  and  to  ftand  forth  and  take  an  aftive  part 
in  alTifling  me  to  reftore  order  and  conftitutional  go- 
vernment. As  a confiderable  bodv  of  friends  were 
faid  to  refide  between  the  Haw  and  Deep  rivers,  I 
detached  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  on  the  23d, 
with  the  cavalry  and  a fmall  body  of  infantry,  to 
prevent  their  being  interrupted  in  aflembling.  Un- 
luckily, a detachment  of  the  rebel  light  troops  had 
croffed  the  fame  day,  and  by  accident  fell  in  with 
about  two  hundred  of  our  friends,  under  Colonel 
Pyle,  on  their  way  to  HillflDorough;  who,  miftaking 
the  rebels  for  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton’s  corps, 
allowed  themfelves  to  be  furrounded,  and  a number 
of  them,  were  moft  inhumanly  butchered  when  beg- 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina.  3 1 

ging  for  quarter,  without  making  the  leaft  refiftance. 
The  same  day  I had  certain  intelligence  that  General 
Greene,  having  been  reinforced,  had  re-crolfed  the 
Dan,  which  rendered  it  imprudent  to  separate  my 
corps,  occafioned  the  recall  of  Lieutenant-colonel 
Tarleton’s  detachment;  and  forage  and  provifions 
being  fcarce  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Hillfborough, 
as  well  as  the  pofition  too  diftant  (upon  the  approach 
of  the  rebel  army)  for  the  proteftion  of  the  body  of 
our  friends;  I judged  it  expedient  to  crofs  the  Haw, 
and  encamped  near  Allemance  Creek,  detaching 
Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  with  the  cavalry,  light 
company  of  the  Guards,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Webfter’s  brigade,  a few 
miles  from  me  on  the  road  to  Deep  River,  more  ef- 
fedtually  to  cover  the  country. 

General  Greene’s  light  troops  foon  made  their  ap- 
pearance; and  on  the  2d,  a patrole  having  reported 
that  they  had  feen  both  cavalry  and  infantry  near  his 
poll,  I directed  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  to  move 
forward  with  proper  precautions,  and  endeavour  to 
difcover  the  deligns  of  the  enemy.  He  had  not  ad- 
vanced far,  when  he  fell  in  with  a confiderable  corps, 
which  he  immediately  attacked  and  routed;  but  being 
ignorant  of  their  force,  and  whether  they  were  fup- 
ported,  with  great  prudence  defifted  from  purfuit. 
H e soon  learned  from  prifoners,  that  thofe  he  had 
beat  were  Lee’s  legion,  three  or  four  hundred  back 
mountain  men,  under  Colonel  Prefton,  with  a number 

of 


32 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


of  militia;  and  that  General  Greene  with  a part  of  his 
army  was  not  far  diftant.  Our  fituation  for  the 
former  few  days  had  been  amongft  timid  friends,  and 
adjoining  to  inveterate  rebels;  between  them  I had 
been  totally  deftitute  of  information,  which  loft  me  a 
very  favourable  opportunity  of  attacking  the  rebel 
army.  General  Greene  fell  back  to  Thompfon’s 
Houfe,  near  Boyd’s  Ford,  on  the  Reedy  Fork;  but 
his  light  troops  and  militia  ftill  remained  near  us, 
and  as  I was  informed  that  they  were  pofted  careleflly 
at  feparate  plantations  for  the  convenience  of  fubfift- 
ing,  I marched  on  the  6th  to  drive  them  in,  and  to 
attack  General  Greene  if  an  opportunity  offered.  I 
fucceeded  completely  in  the  firft;  and  at  Weitzell’s 
Mill,  on  the  Reedy  Fork,  where  they  made  a ftand, 
the  back-mountain  men  and  fome  militia  buffered 
confiderably,  with  little  lofs  on  our  fide;  but  a timely 
and  precipitate  retreat  over  the  Haw  prevented  the 
latter.  I knew  that  the  Virginia  reinforcement  were 
upon  their  march;  and  it  was  apparent  that  the  enemy 
would,  if  polfible,  avoid  rifqueing  an  aftion  before 
their  arrival. 

The  neighbourhood  of  the  Fords  of  the  Dan  in 
their  rear,  and  the  extreme  difficulty  of  fubfifting  my 
troops  in  that  exhaufted  country  putting  it  out  of 
my  power  to  force  them,  my  refolution  was  to  give 
our  friends  time  to  join  us,  by  covering  their  country 
as  effedlually  as  poffible,  confiftent  with  the  fubfift- 
ence  of  the  troops,  ftill  approaching  the  communica- 
tion 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


33 


tion  with  our  fhipping  in  Cape  Fear  River,  which  I 
faw  it  would  foon  become  indifpenhbly  neceffary  to 
open,  on  account  of  the  fufferings  of  the  army  from 
the  want  of  fupplies  of  every  kind;  at  the  fame  time 
I was  determined  to  fight  the  rebel  army,  if  it  ap- 
proached me,  being  convinced  that  it  would  be  im- 
poflible  to  fucceed  in  that  great  objedtof  our  arduous 
campaign,  the  calling  forth  the  numerous  Loyalifts 
of  North  Carolina,  whilft  a doubt  remained  on  their 
minds  of  the  fuperiority  of  our  arms.  With  thefe 
views,  I had  moved  to  the  Quaker  Meeting,  in  the 
Forks  of  Deep  River,  on  the  13th;  and  on  the  14th 
I received  the  information  which  occafioned  the 
movement  that  brought  on  the  adtion  at  Guildford, 
of  which  I fhall  give  your  Lordlhip  an  account  in  a 
feparate  letter. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


G 


Inclofed 


34 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Inclofed  in  No.  V. 

By  the  Right  Honourable  Charles  Earl  Cornwallis^ 
Lieutenant-general  of  his  Majefty  s Forces^ 

^c.  &e.  Cdc. 

A Proclamation. 

WHEREAS  it  has  pleafed  the  Divine  Providence 
to  profper  the  operations  of  his  Majefty’s  arms  in 
driving  the  rebel  army  out  of  this  province;  and 
whereas  it  is  his  Majefty’s  moft  gracious  wilh  to  ref- 
cue  his  faithful  and  loyal  fubjedts  from  the  cruel 
tyranny  under  which  they  have  groaned  for  feveral 
years,  I have  thought  proper  to  iflue  this  Proclama- 
tion, to  invite  all  fuch  faithful  and  loyal  fubjedts  to 
repair,  without  lofs  of  time,  with  their  arms  and  ten 
days  proviftons,  to  the  Royal  Standard  now  eredled 
at  Hillfborough,  where  they  will  meet  with  the  moft 
friendly  reception:  and  I do  hereby  aflure  them  that 
I am  ready  to  concur  with  them  in  effedlual  meafures 
for  fupprefling  the  remains  of  rebellion  in  this  pro- 
vince, and  for  the  re-eftablilhment  of  good  order  and 
conftitutional  government. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  head  quarters  at  Hillfbo- 
rough this  20th  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1781,  and  in  the  twenty-firft  year  of 
his  Majefty’s  reign. 

CORNWALLIS. 

By  his  Lordlhip’s  command, 

H.  Brodrick, 

Aid  de  Camp. 

God  fave  the  King. 


Inclofed 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


35 


Inclofed  in  Number  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s Dijpatch,  No.  8,  to  Lord 
George  Germain^  dated  Guildford,  i~th  March, 
1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I HAVE  the  fatisfabtion  to  inform  your  Lord- 
fhip  that  his  Majefty’s  troops  under  my  command 
obtained  a fignal  victory,  on  the  15th  inftant,  over 
the  rebel  army  commanded  by  General  Greene. 

In  purfuance  of  my  intended  plan,  communicated 
to  your  Lordfhip  in  my  difpatch.  No.  7,  I had  en- 
camped on  the  13th  inftant  at  the  Quaker  Meeting 
between  the  forks  of  Deep  River.  On  the  14th  I 
received  information,  that  General  Butler,  with  a 
body  of  North-Carolina  militia  and  the  expedted 
reinforcements  from  Virginia,  faid  to  conhft  of  a 
Virginia  ftate-regiment,  a corps  of  Virginia  eighteen- 
months  men,  three  thoufand  Virginia  militia  and 
recruits  for  the  Maryland  line,  had  joined  General 
Greene;  and  that  the  whole  army,  which  was  re- 
ported to  amount  to  nine  or  ten  thoufand  men,  was 
marching  to  attack  the  Britifh  troops.  During  the 
afternoon  intelligence  was  brought,  which  was  con- 
firmed in  the  night,  that  he  had  advanced  that  day 
to  Guildford,  about  twelve  miles  from  our  camp. 

Being 


j6  Correjfondence  relative  to  the 

Being  now  perfuaded  that  he  had  refolved  to  hazard 
an  engagement,  after  detaching  Lieutenant-colonel 
Hamilton  with  our  waggons  and  baggage  efcorted 
by  his  own  regiment,  a detachment  of  one  hundred 
infantry  and  twenty  cavalry,  towards  Bells  Mill  on 
Deep  River,  I marched  with  the  reft  of  the  corps,  at 
day-break  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  to  meet  the 
enemy  or  to  attack  them  in  their  encampment.  About 
four  miles  from  Guildford,  our  advanced  guard,  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton,  fell  in  with 
a corps  of  the  enemy,  confifting  of  Lee’s  legion,  fome 
back-mountain  men  and  Virginia  militia,  which  he 
attacked  with  his  ufual  good  condudl  and  fpirit,  and 
defeated;  and,  continuing  our  march,  we  found  the 
rebel  army  pofted  on  rifing  grounds  about  a mile 
and  a half  from  the  court-houfe.  The  prifoners 
taken  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  having  been 
feveral  days  with  the  advanced  corps,  could  give  me 
no  account  of  the  enemy’s  order  or  pofition,  and  the 
country  people  were  extremely  inaccurate  in  their 
defcription  of  the  ground.  Immediately  between 
the  head  of  the  column  and  the  enemy’s  line,  was  a 
confiderable  plantation,  one  large  field  of  which  was 
on  our  left  of  the  road,  and  two  others,  with  a wood 
of  about  two  hundred  yards  broad  between  them,  on 
our  right  of  it;  beyond  thefe  fields  the  wood  con- 
tinued for  feveral  miles  to  our  right.  The  wood 
beyond  the  plantation  in  our  front,  in  the  Ikirt  of 
which  the  enemy’s  firft  line  was  formed,  was  about  a 

mile 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


37 


mile  in  depth,  the  road  then  leading  into  an  exten- 
five  fpace  of  cleared  ground  about  Guildford  court- 
houfe.  The  woods  on  our  right  and  left  were 
reported  to  be  impradticable  for  cannon;  but,  as 
that  on  our  right  appeared  the  moft  open,  I refolved 
to  attack  the  left  wing  of  the  enemy;  and,  whilfl:  my 
difpofition  was  making  for  that  purpofe,  I ordered 
Lieutenant  Macleod  to  bring  forward  the  guns  and 
cannonade  their  center.  The  attack  was  directed  to 
be  made  in  the  following  order: 

On  the  right  the  regiment  of  Bofe  and  the  feventy- 
firft  regiment,  led  by  Major-general  Leflie,  and  fup- 
ported  by  the  firfl:  battalion  of  guards;  on  the  left, 
the  twenty-third  and  thirty-third  regiments,  led  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Webfter,  and  fupported  by  the  grenadiers 
and  fecond  battalion  of  guards  commanded  by  Briga- 
dier-general O’Hara;  the  yagers  and  light-infantry 
of  the  guards  remained  in  the  wood  on  the  left  of  the 
guns,  and  the  cavalry  in  the  road,  ready  to  ad:  as 
circumftances  might  require.  Our  preparations  being 
made,  the  adion  began  at  about  half  an  hour  paft 
one  in  the  afternoon;  Major-general  Leflie,  after 
being  obliged  by  the  great  extent  of  the  enemy’s  line, 
to  bring  up  the  firft  battalion  of  guards  to  the  right 
of  the  regiment  of  Bofe,  foon  defeated  every  thing 
before  him;  Lieutenant-colonel  Webfter,  having 
joined  the  left  of  Major-general  Leflie’s  divifion, 
was  no  lefs  fuccefsful  in  his  front,  when,  on  finding 
that  the  left  of  the  thirty-third  was  expofed  to  a heavy 

fire 


38 


Correjfondence  relative  to  the 


fire  from  the  right  wing  of  the  enemy,  he  changed  his 
front  to  the  left,  and,  being  fupported  by  the  yagers 
and  light-infantry  of  the  guards,  attacked  and  routed 
it.  The  grenadiers  and  fecond  battalion  of  guards 
moving  forward  to  occupy  the  ground  left  vacant  by 
the  movement  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Webfter. 

All  the  infantry  being  now  in  the  line.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Tarleton  had  diredions  to  keep  his  cavalry 
compad,  and  not  to  charge  without  pofitive  orders, 
except  to  proted  any  of  the  corps  from  the  moft 
evident  danger  of  being  defeated.  The  excelTive 
thicknefs  of  the  woods  rendered  our  bayonets  of  little 
ufe,  and  enabled  the  broken  enemy  to  make  frequent 
Hands,  with  an  irregular  fire,  which  occafioned  fome 
lofs,  and  to  feveral  of  the  corps  great  delay,  particu- 
larly on  our  right,  where  the  firft  battalion  of  the 
guards  and  regiment  of  Bofe  were  warmly  engaged  in 
front,  flank,  and  rear,  with  fome  of  the  enemy  that 
had  been  routed  on  the  firfl:  attack,  and  with  part  of 
the  extremity  of  their  left  wing,  which  by  the  clofenefs 
of  the  woods  had  been  palTed  unbroken.  The  feventy- 
firft  regiment  and  grenadiers,  and  fecond  battalion  of 
guards,  not  knowing  what  was  pafling  on  their  right, 
and  hearing  the  fire  advance  on  their  left,  continued 
to  move  forward,  the  artillery  keeping  pace  with 
them  on  the  road,  followed  by  the  cavalry.  The 
fecond  battalion  of  guards  firfl:  gained  the  clear  ground 
near  Guildford  court-houfe,  and  found  a corps  of 
continental  infantry  much  fuperior  in  number  formed 


in 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


39 


in  the  open  field  on  the  left  of  the  road.  Glowing 
with  impatience  to  fignalize  themfelves,  they  inftantly 
attacked  and  defeated  them,  taking  two  fix-pounders; 
but,  purfuing  into  the  wood  with  too  much  ardour, 
were  thrown  into  confufion  by  a heavy  fire,  and  im- 
mediately charged  and  driven  back  into  the  field  by 
Colonel  Wafhington’s  dragoons,  with  the  lofs  of  the 
fix-pounders  they  had  taken.  The  enemy’s  cavalry 
was  foon  repulfed  by  a well-direded  fire  from  two 
three-pounders  juft  brought  up  by  Lieut.  Macleod, 
and  by  the  appearance  of  the  grenadiers  of  the  guards, 
and  of  the  feventy-firft  regiment,  which,  having  been 
impeded  by  fome  deep  rains,  were  now  coming  out 
of  the  wood  on  the  right  of  the  guards,  oppofite  to 
the  Court-houfe.  By  the  fpirited  exertions  of  Bri- 
gadier-general O’Hara,  though  wounded,  the  fecond 
battalion  of  guards  was  foon  rallied,  and,  fupported 
by  the  grenadiers,  returned  to  the  charge  with  the 
greateft  alacrity.  The  twenty-third  regiment  arriving 
at  that  inftant  from  our  left,  and  Lieutenant-colonel 
Tarleton  having  advanced  with  part  of  the  cavalry, 
the  enemy  were  foon  put  to  flight,  and  the  two  fix- 
pounders  once  more  fell  into  our  hands;  two  ammu- 
nition-waggons and  two  other  fix-pounders,  being 
all  the  artillery  they  had  in  the  field,  were  likewife 
taken.  About  this  time  the  33d  regiment  and  light- 
infantry  of  the  guards,  after  overcoming  many  diffi- 
cvzlties,  completely  routed  the  corps  which  was  op- 
pofed  to  them,  and  put  an  end  to  the  abtion  in  this 

quarter. 


40 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


quarter.  The  twenty-third  and  feventy-firft  regi- 
ments, with  part  of  the  cavalry,  were  ordered  to 
purfue;  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry  was  detached 
with  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  to  our  right,  where 
a heavy  fire  ftill  continued,  and  where  his  appearance 
and  fpirited  attack  contributed  much  to  a fpeedy 
termination  of  the  adtion.  The  militia  with  which 
our  right  wing  had  been  engaged,  difperfed  in  the 
woods;  the  continentals  went  off  by  the  Reedy-fork, 
beyond  which  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  follow  them, 
as  their  cavalry  had  fuffered  but  little;  our  troops 
were  excelTively  fatigued  by  an  adlion  which  lafted  an 
hour  and  a half,  and  our  wounded  difperfed  over  an 
extenfive  fpace  of  country,  required  immediate  atten- 
tion; the  care  of  our  wounded,  and  the  total  want  of 
provihons  in  an  exhaufted  country,  made  it  equally 
impofhble  for  me  to  follow  the  blow  the  next  day. 
The  enemy  did  not  flop  until  they  got  to  the  Iron- 
works on  Troublefome-Creek,  eighteen  miles  from 
the  field  of  battle. 

From  our  obfervation,  and  the  befl  accounts  we 
could  procure,  we  did  not  doubt  but  the  flrength  of 
the  enemy  exceeded  feven  thoufand  men;  their  mi- 
litia compofed  their  line,  with  parties  advanced  to 
the  rails  of  the  fields  in  their  front;  the  continentals 
were  polled  obliquely  in  the  rear  of  their  right 
wing.  Their  cannon  fixed  on  us  whilfl  we  were 
forming,  from  the  center  of  the  line  of  militia,  but 


were 


— ^ctrt'Cornwallis' s March  into  Virginia.  . . 41 

were  withdrawn  to  the  Continentals  before  the  at- 
tack. 

I have  the  honour  to  enclofe  to  your  Lordfhip  the 
lift  of  our  killed  and  wounded;  Captain  Schutz’s 
wound  is  fuppofed  to  be  mortal,  but  the  surgeons 
alTure  me  that  none  of  the  other  officers  are  in  dan- 
ger, and  that  a great  number  of  the  men  will  foon 
recover.  I cannot  afcertain  the  lofs  of  the  enemy, 
but  it  muft  have  been  confiderable,  between  two  and 
three  hundred  dead  were  left  upon  the  field;  many 
of  their  wounded  that  were  able  to  move,  whilft  we 
were  employed  in  the  care  of  our  own,  efcaped  and 
followed  the  routed  enemy;  and  our  cattle-drivers 
and  forage-parties  have  reported  to  me,  that  the 
houfes  in  a circle  of  fix  or  eight  miles  round  us  are 
full  of  others:  thofe  that  remained  we  have  taken 
the  beft  care  of  in  our  power.  We  took  few  pri- 
foners,  owing  to  the  exceffive  thicknefs  of  the  wood 
facilitating  their  efcape,  and  every  man  of  our  armv 
being  repeatedly  wanted  for  aftion. 

The  condudt  and  adtions  of  the  officers  and  foldiers 
that  compofe  this  little  army  will  do  more  juftice  to 
their  merit  than  I can  by  words.  Their  perfevering 
intrepidity  in  adlion,  their  invincible  patience  in  the 
hardfhips  and  fatigues  of  a march  of  above  fix  hun- 
dred miles,  in  which  they  have  forded  feveral  large 
rivers  and  numberlefs  creeks,  many  ot  which  would 
be  reckoned  large  rivers  in  any  other  country  in  the 
world,  without  tents  or  covering  againft  the  climate, 
H and 


42 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


and  often  without  provifions,  will  fufficiently  mani- 
feft  their  ardent  zeal  for  the  honour  and  interefts  of 
their  Sovereign  and  their  country. 

I have  been  particularly  indebted  to  Major-general 
Leflie  for  his  gallantry  and  exertion  in  the  action,  as 
well  as  his  affiftance  in  every  other  part  of  the  fervice. 
The  zeal  and  fpirit  of  Brigadier-general  0‘Hara 
merit  my  higheft  commendations;  for,  after  receiving 
two  dangerous  wounds,  he  continued  in  the  field 
whilfi:  the  a6lion  lafted;  by  his  earnefi:  attention  on 
all  other  occafions,  feconded  by  the  officers  and  fol- 
diers  of  the  brigade;  his  Majefty’s  guards  are  no  lefs 
diftinguifhed  by  their  order  and  discipline  than  by 
their  fpirit  and  valour:  the  Heffian  regiment  of  Bofe 
deferves  my  warmeft  praifes  for  its  difcipline,  alacrity, 
and  courage,  and  does  honour  to  Major  Du  Buy, 
who  commands  it,  and  who  is  an  officer  of  fuperior 
merit;  I am  much  obliged  to  Brigadier-general 
Howard,  who  ferved  as  volunteer,  for  his  fpirited 
example  on  all  occafions:  Lieutenant-colonel  Webfter 
conduced  his  brigade  like  an  officer  of  experience 
and  gallantry.  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton’s  good 
conducd  and  fpirit  in  the  management  of  his  cavalry, 
was  confpicuous  during  the  whole  aftion;  and  Lieu- 
tenant Macleod,  who  commanded  the  artillery,  proved 
himfelf  upon  this,  as  well  as  all  former  occafions,  a 
moft  capable  and  deferving  officer.  The  attention 
and  exertions  of  my  Aid-de-camps,  and  of  all  the 

other 


43 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia. 

other  public  officers  of  the  army,  contributed  very 
much  to  the  fuccefs  of  the  day. 

I have  conftantly  received  the  mod  zealous  affift- 
ance  from  Governor  Martin,  during  my  command 
in  the  fouthern  diftrift:  hoping  that  his  prefence 
would  tend  to  incite  the  loyal  fubjeds  of  this  pro- 
vince to  take  an  adive  part  with  us,  he  has  cheerfully 
fubmitted  to  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  our  cam- 
paign; but  his  delicate  conftitution  has  buffered  by 
his  public  fpirit,  for,  by  the  advice  of  the  phyficians, 
he  is  now  obliged  to  return  to  England  for  the  re- 
covery of  his  health. 

This  part  of  the  country  is  fo  totally  deftitute  of 
fubliftence,  that  forage  is  not  nearer  than  nine  miles, 
and  the  foldiers  have  been  two  days  without  bread; 
I fhall,  therefore,  leave  about  feventy  of  the  word: 
of  the  wounded  cafes  at  the  New-garden  Ouaker- 
meeting-houfe,  with  proper  affiflance,  and  move  the 
remainder  with  the  army  to-morrow  morning  to 
Bell’s-mill.  I hope  our  friends  will  heartily  take  an 
adive  part  with  us,  to  which  I fhall  continue  to  en- 
courage them;  dill  approaching  our  dripping  by 
eafy  marches,  that  we  may  procure  the  neceffary 
fupplies  for  further  operations,  and  lodge  our  fick 
and  wounded  where  proper  attention  can  be  paid  to 
them. 

This  difpatch  will  be  delivered  to  your  Lordfhip 
by  my  Aid-de-camp,  Captain  Brodrick,  who  is  a 

verv 


44 


Correfpondence  relative  to 


very  promifing  officer,  and  whom  I beg  leave  to 
recommend  to  your  Lordffiip’s  countenance  and  fa- 
vour. 


I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed  in  No.  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s Difpatch,  No.  9,  to  Lord 
George  Germain,  dated  Wilmington,  April  18, 
1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I MARCHED  from  Guildford  on  the  morning 
of  the  1 8th  of  March,  and  next  day  arrived  at  Bell’s- 
mill,  where  I gave  the  troops  two  days  reft,  and 
procured  a fmall  fupply  of  provifions.  From  thence 
I proceeded  flowly  towards  Crofs-creek,  attending  to 
the  convenience  of  fubfiftence,  and  the  movement 
of  our  wounded.  On  my  way  I iflued  the  enclofed 
proclamation,  and  took  every  other  means  in  my 
power  to  reconcile  enemies,  and  to  encourage  our 
friends  to  join  us. 

From  all  my  information  I intended  to  have 
halted  at  Cross-Creek,  as  a proper  place  to  refreffi 
and  refit  the  troops;  and  I was  much  difappointed, 

on 


Karl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia^.-  45 

on  my  arrival  there,  to  find  it  totally  impoflible: 
provifions  were  fcarce,  not  tour  days  forage  within 
twenty  miles,  and  to  us  the  navigation  of  the  Cape 
Fear  river  to  Wilmington  impradticable;  for  the 
diftance  by  water  is  upwards  of  a hundred  miles, 
the  breadth  feldom  above  one  hundred  yards,  the 
banks  high,  and  the  inhabitants  on  each  fide  gene- 
rally hoftile.  — Under  thefe  circumflances,  I was 
obliged  to  continue  my  march  to  this  place,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  which  I arrived  on  the  7th  in- 
ftant. 

I have  been  bufy,  fince  my  arrival,  in  difpofing  of 
our  fick  and  wounded,  and  in  procuring  the  necetfary 
fupplies  to  put  the  troops  in  a proper  ftate  to  take 
the  field.  I am  in  daily  expedation  of  feeing  the 
reinforcement  from  Europe,  and  of  receiving  the 
Commander-in-chief’s  direbtions  for  the  further  ope- 
rations of  the  campaign. 

Captain  Schutz  died  a few  days  after  the  action,  as 
we  expefted;  but  I am  forty  to  inform  your  Lord- 
Ihip,  that,  notwithftanding  the  flattering  appearances 
and  the  affurances  of  the  furgeons.  Colonel  Webfter, 
(whofe  lofs  is  feverely  felt  by  me  and  the  whole 
army)  Captain  Maynard  of  the  guards,  and  Captain 
Wilmoufky  and  Enfign  de  Trott  of  the  Regiment 
of  Bofe  are  fince  dead:  the  reft  of  the  officers  are 
recovering  faft,  and  many  of  the  wounded  foldiers 
have  already  joined  their  regiments. 


46 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


Major  Craig,  who  took  pofleffion  of  this  place  in 
the  latter  end  of  January,  has  conduced  himfelf  with 
great  zeal  and  capacity,  having  with  a very  fmall  force 
not  only  fecured  the  poll  from  all  infults,  but  made 
himfelf  refpeftable  in  this  part  of  the  country,  by 
feveral  fuccefsful  excurfions. 

I fhall  not  trouble  your  Lordfhip  on  the  fubjeft 
of  South-Carolina,  having  diredted  Lord  Rawdon, 
who  commands  on  the  frontiers,  and  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Balfour,  commandant  of  Charles-town,  to 
take  every  opportunity  of  communicating  to  your 
Lordfhip,  as  well  as  to  the  Commander-in-chief,  the 
date  of  affairs  in  that  province.  As  they  are  both 
officers  of  capacity  and  great  merit,  I truft  that  their 
conduft  will  have  given  fatisfadlion. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  47 


Inclofed  in  Number  V. 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

By  Charles  Earl  Cornwallis.,  Lieutenant-General  of  his 
Majejly  s Forces,  Gfc.  Gfc.  ^c. 

A Proclamation. 

WHEREAS  by  the  bleffing  of  Almighty  God, 
his  Majefty’s  arms  have  been  crowned  with  fignal 
fuccefs,  by  the  compleat  viblory  obtained  over  the 
Rebel  forces  on  the  15th  inftant,  I have  thought  pro- 
per to  iffue  this  proclamation  to  call  upon  all  loyal  fub- 
jebts  to  hand  forth,  and  take  an  a6live  part  in  reftoring 
good  order  and  government.  And  whereas  it  has 
been  reprefented  to  me  that  many  perfons  in  this  pro- 
vince who  have  taken  a lhare  in  this  unnatural  rebel- 
lion, but  having  experienced  the  oppreffion  and  injuf- 
tice  of  the  Rebel  government,  and  having  seen  the  errors 
into  which  they  have  been  deluded  by  falfehoods  and 
mifreprefentations,  are  fincerely  defirous  of  returning 
to  their  duty  and  allegiance,  I do  hereby  notify  and 
promife  to  all  fuch  perfons  (murderers  excepted)  that 
if  they  will  furrender  themfelves  with  their  arms  and 
ammunition,  at  head  quarters,  or  to  the  officer  com- 
manding in  the  diftrict  contiguous  to  their  refped:ive 

places 


48 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


places  of  refidence,  on  or  before  the  2oth  day  of 
April  next,  they  fhall  be  permitted  to  return  to  thei- 
homes,  upon  giving  a military  parole,  and  fhall  be 
protected  in  their  perfons  and  properties  from  all 
fort  of  violence  from  the  Britifh  troops,  and  will  be 
reftored  as  foon  as  poflible  to  all  the  privileges  of 
legal  and  conftitutional  government. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  head  quarters,  this  i8th 
day  of  March,  A.  D.  1781,  and  in  the  twenty- 
firfl  year  of  his  Majefty’s  reign. 

CORNWALLIS. 

Inclofed  in  No.  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s dispatch.  No.  10,  to  Lord 
George  Germain,  dated  Wilmington,  April  1 8 th,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

AS  Governor  Martin  returns  to  England  by  this, 
opportunity,  I fhall  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Lordfhip 
to  him  for  many  particulars  relating  to  this  province; 
but  I think  it  incumbent  on  me  to  be  explicit  to 
your  Lordfhip,  as  his  Majefly’s  Minifter,  on  one  or 
two  capital  points. 

The  principal  reafons  for  undertaking  the  winter’s 
campaign  were,  the  difficulty  of  a defenfive  war  in 
South  Carolina,  and  the  hopes  that  our  friends  in 

North 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


49 


North  Carolina,  who  were  faid  to  be  very  numerous, 
would  make  good  their  promifes  of  aflembling  and 
taking  an  adive  part  with  us,  in  endeavouring  to  re- 
eftablish  his  Majeftv’s  government.  Our  experience 
has  fhewn  that  their  numbers  are  not  fo  great  as  had 
been  reprefented,  and  that  their  friendlhip  was  only 
paflive;  for  we  have  received  little  afliftance  from 
them  fince  our  arrival  in  the  province,  and  although 
I gave  the  flrongeft  and  mod:  public  affurances,  that 
after  refitting  and  depofiting  our  fick  and  wounded, 
I fhould  return  to  the  upper  country,  not  above  two 
hundred  have  been  prevailed  upon  to  follow  us, 
either  as  provincials  or  militia. 

This  being  the  cafe,  the  immenfe  extent  of  this 
country,  cut  with  numberlefs  rivers  and  creeks,  and 
the  total  want  of  internal  navigation,  which  renders 
it  impoffible  for  our  army  to  remain  long  in  the 
heart  of  the  country,  will  make  it  very  difficult  to 
reduce  this  province  to  obedience  by  a direft  attack 
upon  it. 

If  therefore  it  fhould  appear  to  be  the  interefi:  of 
Great  Britain  to  maintain  what  fhe  already  pofiefles, 
and  to  pufh  the  war  in  the  Southern  Provinces,  I 
take  the  liberty  of  giving  it  as  my  opinion,  that  a 
ferious  attempt  upon  Virginia  would  be  the  mod: 
folid  Plan,  becaufe  fuccefsful  operations  might  not 
only  be  attended  with  important  confequences  there, 
but  would  tend  to  the  fecurity  of  South  Carolina, 
and  ultimately  to  the  fubmilTion  of  North  Carolina. 

I The 


50 


Correspondence  relative  to  the 


The  great  reinforcements  fent  by  Virginia  to  General 
Greene,  whilft  General  Arnold  was  in  the  Chefapeak, 
are  convincing  proofs  that  fmall  expeditions  do  not 
frighten  that  powerful  province. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed  in  No.  V. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis's  dijpatch,  No.  ii,  to  Lord 
George  Germain^  dated  Wilmington^  April  i^d,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I YESTERDAY  received  an  exprefs  by  a fmall 
veflel  from  Charles-town,  informing  me  that  a frigate 
was  there,  but  not  then  able  to  get  over  the  bar,  with 
difpatches  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  notifying  to  me 
that  Major-General  Philips  had  been  detached  into 
the  Chefapeak  with  a confiderable  force,  with  in- 
ftru(5lions  to  co-operate  with  this  army,  and  to  put 
himfelf  under  my  orders.  This  exprefs  likewife 
brought  me  the  difagreeable  accounts,  that  the  up- 
per polls  of  South  Carolina  were  in  the  moft  im- 
minent danger,  from  an  alarming  fpirit  of  revolt, 
among  many  of  the  people,  and  by  a movement  of 
General  Greene’s  army.  Although  the  exprefles  that 

I fent 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


51 


I Tent  from  Crofs  Creek  to  inform  Lord  Rawdon  of 
the  neceffity  I was  under  of  coming  to  this  place, 
and  to  warn  him  of  the  poifibility  of  fuch  an  attempt 
of  the  enemy,  had  all  mifcarried,  yet  his  Lordfhip 
was  lucky  enough  to  be  apprized  of  General  Greene’s 
approach  at  leaft  fix  days  before  he  polTibly  could 
reach  Camden,  and  I am  therefore  ftill  induced  to 
hope  from  my  opinion  of  his  Lordlhip’s  abilities, 
and  the  precautions  taken  by  him  and  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Balfour,  that  we  fhall  not  be  fo  unfortunate 
as  to  loofe  any  confiderable  corps. 

The  diftance  from  hence  to  Camden,  the  want  of 
forage  and  fubliftence  on  the  greateft  part  of  the  road, 
and  the  difficulty  in  paffing  the  Pedee  when  oppofed 
by  an  enemy,  render  it  utterly  impoffible  for  me  to 
give  immediate  affiftance,  and  I apprehend  a poffi- 
bility  of  the  utmoft  hazard  to  this  little  corps,  with- 
out the  chance  of  a benefit  in  the  attempt;  for  if  we 
are  fo  unlucky  as  to  fuffer  a fevere  blow  in  South 
Carolina,  the  fpirit  of  revolt  in  that  province  would 
become  very  general,  and  the  numerous  rebels  in 
this  province  be  encouraged  to  be  more  than  ever 
acdive  and  violent.  This  might  enable  General 
Greene  to  hem  me  in  among  the  great  rivers,  and  by 
cutting  off  our  fubliftence,  render  our  arms  ufelefs: 
and  to  remain  here  for  tranfports  to  carry  us  off, 
would  be  a work  of  time,  would  lofe  our  cavalry,  and 
be  otherways  as  ruinous  and  difgraceful  to  Britain,  as 
moft  events  could  be.  I have  therefore  under  fo 


manv 


5- 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


many  embarraffing  circumftances,  (but  looking  upon 
Charles-town  as  fafe  from  any  immediate  attack  from 
the  Rebels,)  refolved  to  take  advantage  of  General 
Greene’s  having  left  the  back  part  of  Virginia  open, 
and  march  immediately  into  that  province  to  attempt 
a junction  with  General  Phillips. 

I have  more  readily  decided  upon  this  meafure, 
becaufe  if  General  Greene  fails  in  the  objedt  of  his 
march,  his  retreat  will  relieve  South  Carolina;  and 
my  force  being  very  infufficient  for  offenfive  opera- 
tions in  this  province,  may  be  employed  ufefully  in 
Virginia  in  conjundlion  with  the.  corps  under  the 
command  of  General  Phillips. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


C O R R E S- 


State  of  the  TROOPS  that  marched  with  the  Army  under  the  Command  of  Lieutenant-General 

Earl  Cornwallis. 


Campaign  in  North  Carolina. 


53 


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CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  II. 

RELATIVE  TO  EARL  CORNWALLIs’s  MARCH 
INTO  VIRGINIA. 


NUMBER  1. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Wilmington,  April  24,  1781. 

S I R, 

I HAVE  refledted  very  ferioufly  on  the  fubjedl 
of  my  attempt  to  march  into  Virginia,  and 
have  in  confequence  written  a letter  to  Major-general 
Phillips,  of  which  I have  the  honour  to  enclofe  a 
copy  to  your  Excellency.  I have,  likewife,  diredted 
Lieutenant-colonel  Balfour  to  fend  tranfports  and 

provifions 


5^ 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


provifions  to  this  port,  in  cafe  I fhould  find  the 
junction  with  Major-general  Phillips  inexpedient  or 
impra(5licable,  and  that  I fhould  have  the  mortifica- 
tion of  feeing  that  there  is  no  other  method  of  con- 
veying his  Majefty’s  troops  to  South-Carolina,  with- 
out expofing  them  to  the  moft  evident  danger  of 
being  loft, 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


(Inclofed  in  Number  L) 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s Letter  to  Major-general 
Phillips^  dated  Wilmington,  April  24,  1781. 

DEAR  PHILLIPS, 

MY  fituation  here  is  very  diftreffmg:  Greene 
took  the  advantage  of  my  being  obliged  to  come  to 
this  place,  and  has  marched  to  South-Carolina.  My 
exprefles  to  Lord  Rawdon,  on  my  leaving  Crofs- 
Creek,  warning  him  of  the  poffibility  of  fuch  a 
movement,  have  all  failed;  mountaineers  and  militia 
have  poured  into  the  back  part  of  that  province, 
and  I much  fear  that  Lord  Rawdon’s  polls  will  be  fo 
diflant  from  each  other,  and  his  troops  fo  fcattered, 
as  to  put  him  into  the  greateft  danger  of  being  beat 


m 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  57 

in  detail,  and  that  the  word  of  confequences  may 
happen  to  mod  of  the  troops  out  of  Charles-town. 
By  a direct  move  towards  Camden,  I cannot  get 
time  enough  to  relieve  Lord  Rawdon;  and,  Ihould 
he  have  fallen,  my  army  would  be  expofed  to  the 
utmoft  danger,  from  the  great  rivers  I fhould  have  to 
pass,  the  exhaufted  date  of  the  country,  the  nume- 
rous militia,  the  almod  univerfal  fpirit  of  revolt  which 
prevails  in  South  Carolina,  and  the  drength  of 
Greene’s  army,  whofe  continentals  alone  are  at  lead 
as  numerous  as  I am;  and  I could  be  of  no  ufe  on 
my  arrival  at  Charles-town,  there  being  nothing  to 
apprehend  at  prefent  for  that  pod,  I fhall,  therefore, 
immediately  march  up  the  country  by  Duplin  Court- 
houfe,  pointing  towards  Hillfborough,  in  hopes  to 
withdraw  Greene;  if  that  fhould  not  fucceed,  I 
fhould  be  much  tempted  to  try  to  form  a junftion 
with  you.  The  attempt  is  exceedingly  hazardous, 
and  many  unforefeen  didiculties  may  render  it  totally 
impracticable,  fo  that  you  mud  not  take  any  deps 
that  may  expofe  your  army  to  the  danger  of  being 
ruined:  I fhall  march  to  the  lowed  ford  of  the  Roa- 
noke, which,  I am  informed,  is  about  twenty  miles 
above  T aylor’s-ferry.  Send  every  podible  intelligence 
to  me  by  the  cypher  I enclofe,  and  make  every 
movement  in  your  power  to  facilitate  our  meeting, 
(which  mud  be  fomewhere  near  Peterfburg)  with 
fafety  to  your  own  army:  I mention  the  lowed  ford, 
becaufe  in  a hodile  country  ferries  cannot  be  de- 
pended 


K 


58  Correjpondence  relative  to 

pended  upon;  but  if  I fhould  decide  on  the  meafure 
of  endeavouring  to  come  to  you,  I fhall  try  to  fur- 
prize  the  boats  at  fome  of  the  ferries,  from  Halifax 
upwards. 

I am,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  11. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  New  Tork^ 
March  id,  1781. 

Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  in  Virginia. 

MY  LORD, 

YOUR  Lordfhip  may  probably  hear  that  the  army 
and  navy  in  Chefapeak  are  blocked  up  by  a fupe- 
rior  French  naval  force  to  that  under  Captain  Sy- 
monds.  The  firft  account  I had  of  it  was  from 
General  Arnold,  dated  the  14th  February;  and  I 
fent  it  immediately  to  the  Admiral  at  Gardiner’s  Bay. 
— A day  or  two  afterwards  I had  it  confirmed  that 
they  were  part  of  the  fleet  from  Rhode  Ifland; 
which  I have  heard  fince  failed  from  thence  on  the 
9th  ultimo.  Notwithftanding  which,  I greatly  fear 
he  has  not  fent  a naval  force  to  relieve  them.  Walh- 
ington  has  detached  fome  New-England  troops  under 
La  Fayette  and  Howe,  that  way.  If  fo  much  time 
is  given,  I cannot  anfwer  for  confequences.  Portf- 

mouth 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  59 

mouth  is  fafe,  at  this  feafon,  againft  any  attack  from 
the  Suffolk  fide,  but  not  fo  from  a landing  in  any 
of  the  bays  to  the  eaftward  of  Elizabeth  River. — I 
have  much  to  lament  that  the  Admiral  did  not  think 
it  advifeable  to  fend  there  at  firft,  as  Brigadier-gene- 
ral Arnold’s  projefted  move  in  favour  of  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  operations,  will  have  been  ftopt;  and  if  the 
Admiral  delays  it  too  long,  I fhall  dread  ftill  more 
fatal  confequences.  I have  troops  already  embarked 
in  a great  proportion  to  that  of  the  enemy;  but  to 
fend  them  under  two  frigates  only  before  the  Chefa- 
peak  is  our  own,  is  to  facrifice  the  troops  and  their 
convoy. 

I enclofe  to  your  Lordfhip  all  the  news  I have 
been  able  to  collebl.  Ethan  Allen  has,  I think, 
quitted  Congrefs,  and  put  them  at  defiance.  Your 
Lordfhip  will  fee  his  plan  by  the  News-paper  of  the 
28th  February,  faid  to  be  genuine.  Difcontents  run 
high  in  Connebticut.  In  fhort,  my  Lord,  there 
feems  little  wanting  to  give  a mortal  flab  to  rebel- 
lion but  a proper  reinforcement,  and  a permanent 
fuperiority  at  fea,  for  the  next  campaign;  without 
which,  any  enterprize  depending  on  water  move- 
ments muff  certainly  run  great  rifk. — Should  the 
troops  already  embarked  for  Chefapeak  proceed; 
and,  when  there,  be  able  to  undertake  any  operation 
in  addition  to  what  Brigadier-general  Arnold  pro- 
pofes,  I am  confident  it  will  be  done.  Major-general 
Phillips  will  command  this  expedition. 


Till 


6o 


Correfpondence  relative  to 


Till  Colonel  Bruce  arrives  I am  uncertain  what 
reinforcements  are  intended  for  this  army.  The 
Minifter  has,  however,  affured  me,  that  every  pof- 
fible  exertion  will  be  made. 

I fhall  tremble  for  our  poll  at  Portfmouth,  fhould 
the  enemy’s  reinforcements  arrive  in  that  neighbour- 
hood before  the  force,  which  I now  flatter  myfelf 
the  Admiral  will  order  a fufflcient  convoy  for,  ar- 
rives. 

March  8 th.  I have  received  a letter  from  General 
Arnold,  dated  the  25th  ultimo,  wherein  he  tells  me, 
that  the  French  left  him  on  the  19th.  And  in  ano- 
ther letter  of  the  27th,  he  fays,  he  has  not  the  leaft 
doubt  of  defending  his  poll  againll  the  force  of  the 
country  and  two  thoufand  French  troops  until  a re- 
inforcement can  arrive  from  New  York:  and  that 
he  propofed  to  fend  five  hundred  men  under  Colonel 
Dundas  up  James  River,  to  make  a diverfion  in 
favour  of  your  Lordlhip. 

The  Admiral  informs  me  of  the  return  of  the 
French  fliips  to  Rhode-Ifland,  and  of  their  having 
taken  the  Romulus,  and  carried  her  into  that  place. 
But  as  the  Admiral,  in  his  letter  of  the  2d  inftant, 
feems  to  think  that  the  whole,  or  at  leaft  a great  part, 
of  the  French  fleet  failed  for  Chefapeak  on  the  27th, 
and  that  he  was  at  that  time  ready  to  fail;  I flatter 
myfelf  he  is  either  gone  there,  or  has  fent  a fufflcient 
force  to  clear  the  Chefapeak. 


The 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  6 1 

The  troops  under  General  Phillips  have  been  em- 
barked fome  time,  and  are  now  at  the  Hook  waiting 
for  the  Admiral,  or  a meffage  from  him:  General 
Phillips  commands;  and  I am  fure  you  know  his  in- 
clinations are  to  co-operate  with  your  Lordfhip;  and 
you  will  be  pleafed  to  take  him  under  your  orders, 
until  your  Lordfhip  hears  further  from  me. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  III. 

Copy  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  s InftruSlions  to  Major-gene- 
general  Phillips.,  dated  Head  garters.  New  York, 
March  loth,  1781. 

Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  in  Virginia. 

S I R, 

YOU  will  be  pleafed  to  proceed  with  the  troops 
embarked  under  your  command  to  Chefapeak  Bay, 
and  there  form  a jundion  as  foon  as  poflible  with 
Brigadier-general  Arnold,  whom,  and  the  corps  with 
him,  you  will  take  under  your  orders. 

Should  any  unforefeen  accident  prevent  your  for- 
ming an  immediate  junftion  with  Brigadier-general 
Arnold,  you  will,  however,  exert  every  endeavour 
to  communicate  with  him.  And  as  the  principal 
objeft  of  your  expedition  is  the  fecurity  of  him,  the 

troops 


62 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


troops  at  prefent  under  his  orders,  and  the  ports  he 
occupies  on  Elizabeth  River,  near  the  mouth  of 
James  River  in  Virginia,  you  will,  of  courfe,  ufe 
every  means  to  attain  this  very  material  purpofe. — 
The  properert  methods  to  be  purfued  on  this  occa- 
fion  cannot  be  exactly  pointed  out  to  you,  but  murt 
be  left  to  your  difcretion. 

When  you  fhall  have  formed  your  juncrtion  with 
Brigadier-general  Arnold,  if  you  find  that  General 
a(5ling  under  the  orders  of  Earl  Cornwallis,  you  will, 
of  courfe,  endeavour  to  fulfil  thofe  orders. — If  this 
fhould  not  be  the  cafe;  after  receiving  every  infor- 
mation refpefting  his  probable  fituation,  you  will 
make  fuch  movements  with  the  corps  then  under 
your  orders  as  can  be  made  confirtent  with  the  fecurity 
of  the  port  on  Elizabeth  River,  or  you  fhall  think 
will  mort  effeftually  aflirt  his  Lordfhips  operations, 
by  dertroying  or  taking  any  magazines  the  enemy 
may  have  on  James  River,  or  at  Peterfburg,  on  the 
Appamatox.  After  which,  if  it  fhould  be  thought 
necelTary,  you  will  ertablifli  a port  or  ports,  at  fuch 
rtations  on  James  River,  as  fhall  appear  bert  calcu- 
lated to  open  the  way  for,  and  fecure  the  fafety,  as 
far  as  portable,  of  a rapid  movement  of  troops  to  give 
jealoufy  for  Upper  James  River,  and  to  interrupt 
the  courfe  of  fupplies  to  the  Carolinas. 

The  obje6l  of  co-operation  with  Lord  Cornwallis 
being  fulfilled,  you  are  at  liberty  to  carry  on  fuch 
defultory  expeditions  for  the  purpofe  of  dertroying 

the 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  63 

the  enemy’s  public  ftores  and  magazines  in  any  part 
of  the  Chefapeak,  as  you  lhall  judge  proper. 

If  the  Admiral,  difapproving  of  Portfmouth,  and 
requiring  a fortified  ftation  for  large  Ihips  in  the 
Chefapeak,  fliould  propofe  York  Town  or  Old  Point 
Comfort,  if  poffelfion  of  either  can  be  acquired  and 
maintained  without  great  rilk  or  lofs,  you  are  at 
liberty  to  take  poffelfion  thereof:  but  if  the  objections 
are  fuch  as  you  lhall  think  forcible,  you  mull,  after 
ftating  thofe  objections,  decline  it,  till  folid  operations 
take  place  in  the  Chefapeak. 

As  to  whatever  relates  to  the  people  of  the  coun- 
try, their  being  received  and  armed,  or  being  more 
for  the  King’s  fervice  that  they  Ihould  remain  quietly 
at  their  houfes,  or  refpecting  the  oaths  that  Ihould  be 
offered  to  them,  or  for  your  general  conduct  in  mat- 
ters of  this  kind,  I refer  you  to  my  Inftruchions  to 
Major-general  Lellie,  and  Brigadier-general  Arnold, 
copies  of  which  will  be  given  to  yovi. 

And  concerning  your  return  to  this  place,  you 
will  receive  either  my  orders  or  Lord  Cornwallis’s, 
as  circumllances  may  make  neceffary. 

’Tis  prefumed  his  Lordlhip  will  be  able  to  fpare 
troops  to  ftation  at  Portfmouth,  &c.  but  Ihould  that 
not  be  the  cafe,  you  are  at  liberty  to  leave  either  the 
regiment  of  Prince  Hereditaire  or  the  feventy-fixth, 
or  both,  for  that  purpofe,  under  any  officer,  being  a 
general  officer.  Lord  Cornwallis  may  choofe  to  ap- 
point; but  if  it  Ihould  be  an,  officer  of  your  own 

appointing, 


64 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


appointing,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-colonel;  I 
think  Lieutenant-colonel  Dundas,  as  being  acquain- 
ted with  the  fpot,  fhould  remain. 

It  is  probable,  whenever  the  objedls  of  this  expe- 
dition are  fulfilled,  and  that  you  have  ftrengthened 
the  prefent  works,  and  added  fuch  others  as  you  fhall 
think  neceflary,  that  you  may  return  to  this  place. — 
In  which  cafe,  you  mull  bring  with  you  Brigadier- 
general  Arnold,  the  Light  Infantry,  Colonel  Robin- 
fon’s  corps,  or  the  feventy-fixth,  and,  if  it  fhould  be 
polTible,  the  Queen’s  Rangers. 

The  moment  you  have  communicated  with  Lord 
Cornwallis,  and  heard  from  his  Lordfhip,  you  are  to 
confider  yourfelf  as  under  his  Lordfhip’s  orders,  until 
he,  or  you  fhall  hear  further  from  me. 

Moft  heartily  wifhing  you  fuccefs, 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  IV. 

Rarl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
Peterjburgh,  in  Virginia^  o-oth  May,  1781. 

S I R, 

YOU  will  eafily  conceive  how  fenfible  an  afflidlion 
it  was  to  me  on  entering  this  province,  to  receive 


an 


Rarl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  65 

an  account  of  the  death  of  my  friend  General  Phil- 
lips; whofe  lofs  I cannot  fufficiently  lament,  from 
perfonal  or  public  confiderations. 

The  corps  which  I brought  from  North  Carolina 
arrived  here  this  morning.  The  information  con- 
veyed by  your  Excellency  to  General  Arnold  rela- 
tive to  the  probable  movements  of  the  French  arma- 
ment, retrains  me  at  prefent  from  any  material  of- 
fenfive  operations;  but  as  foon  as  I can  hear  anv 
fatisfaftory  accounts  of  the  two  fleets,  I will  endea- 
vour to  make  the  beft  ufe  in  my  power  of  the  troops 
under  my  command.  General  Arnold  being  of  opi- 
nion, that  Portfmouth,  with  its  prefent  garrifon,  is 
fecure  againfl:  a coup  de  main,  I would  wifh  to  avoid 
making  a precipitate  movement  towards  that  place, 
without  abfolute  neceflity,  becaufe  it  would  leffen  our 
reputation  in  this  province;  but  I have  fent  to  affure 
the  commanding  officer,  that  I will  do  every  thing  I 
can  to  relieve  him  in  cafe  the  French  fhould  attack 
the  poft.  Fa  Fayette  is  at  Wiltown,  on  the  other 
fide  of  James  River,  not  far  from  Richmond:  I have 
not  heard  that  Wayne  has  yet  joined  him. 

It  is  with  infinite  fatisfacflion  that  I enclofe  to  your 
Excellency  copies  of  two  letters  from  Ford  Rawdon, 
which  have  relieved  me  from  the  moft  cruel  anxieties. 
His  Fordfhip’s  great  abilities,  courage,  and  firmnefs 
of  mind  cannot  be  fufficiently  admired  and  applauded. 
There  is  now  great  reafon  to  hope  that  we  fhall  meet 
with  no  ferious  misfortune  in  that  province;  if  how- 


L 


ever 


66 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


ever  General  Greene  Ihould  perfevere  in  carrying  on 
offenfive  operations  againft  it,  we  muft,  I think, 
abandon  Camden,  and  probably  Ninety-lix,  and  limit 
our  defence  to  the  Congaree  and  the  Santee:  this  will 
be  only  giving  up  two  bad  polls,  which  it  is  difficult 
to  fupply  with  provilions,  and  quitting  a part  of  the 
country,  which  for  fome  months  pall  we  have  not 
really  poirelfed. 

I have  taken  every  means  to  inform  Major  Craig 
of  my  having  palfed  the  Roanoke;  on  which  event,  it 
was  previoully  concerted  between  us  that  he  ffiould 
fall  down  to  Bald  Head,  and  from  thence  proceed  to 
Charles-town,  as  foon  as  tranfports  arrive  to  carry  him. 

The  Legion  being  in  the  utmoll  dillress  for  want 
of  arms,  cloathing,  boots,  and  indeed  appointments 
of  all  kinds,  I muft  beg  that  your  Excellency  will  be 
pleafed  to  dired  the  Infpedor  General  to  forward  a 
fupply  of  every  article  with  the  greateft  difpatch. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia. 


67 


NUMBER  V. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis.,  dated  New-Tork, 
May  igth,  1781. 

[Received  July  12,  1781,  from  Lieut.  Col.  Macpherfon.] 

MY  LORD, 

I had  the  honour  of  writing  to  your  Lordfhip  bv 
Lord  Chewton,  who  failed  from  hence  in  the  Rich- 
mond the  4th  inftant,  to  join  you  at  Wilmington; 
but  your  Lordlhip’s  departure  from  thence  will  have 
prevented  his  meeting  you  there,  and  I hope  he  has 
fince  then  joined  you  in  the  Chefapeak. 

When  I firft  heard  of  your  Lordfhip’s  retreat  from 
Crofs  Creek  to  Wilmington,  I confefs  that  I was  in 
hopes  you  had  reafon  to  confider  Greene  fo  totallv 
hors  de  combat  as  to  be  perfedlly  at  eafe  for  Lord 
Rawdon’s  fafety.  And  after  your  arrival  at  Wil- 
mington I flattered  myfelf  that,  if  any  change  of 
circumftances  Ihould  make  it  neceflary,  you  could 
always  have  been  able  to  march  to  the  Walkamaw, 
where  I imagined  velTels  might  have  pafled  you  over 
to  George-town.  I cannot  therefore  conceal  from 
your  Lordfhip  the  apprehenfions  I felt  on  reading 
your  letter  to  me  of  the  24th  ult.  wherein  you  in- 
form me  of  the  critical  fltuation  which  you  fup- 
pofed  the  Carolinas  to  be  in,  and  that  you  fhould 

probably 


68 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


probably  attempt  to  effed;  a jundion  with  Major- 
general  Phillips. 

Lord  Rawdon’s  officer-like  and  fpirited  exentions, 
in  taking  advantage  of  Greene’s  having  detached 
from  his  army,  have  indeed  eafed  me  of  my  appre- 
henfions  for  the  prefent.  But  in  the  difordered  date 
of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  as  reprefented  to  me  by 
Lieutenant-colonel  Balfour,  I fhall  dread  what  may 
be  the  confequence  of  your  Lordffiip’s  move,  unlefs 
a reinforcement  arrives  very  foon  in  South  Carolina, 
and  fuch  inftructions  are  fent  to  the  officer  command- 
ing there,  as  may  induce  him  to  exert  himfelf  in  re- 
ftoring  tranquillity  in  that  province  at  lead.  Thefe 
I make  no  doubt  your  Lordffiip  has  already  fent  to 
Lord  Rawdon,  and  that  every  necedary  meafure  for 
this  purpofe  will  be  taken  by  his  Lordffiip  in  confe- 
quence of  them,  ffiould  he  remain  in  the  command. 
But  as  there  are  many  officers  in  the  regiments  coming 
out  who  are  older  than  Lord  Rawdon,  I have  to 
lament  the  probability  of  his  being  fuperfeded  in  it, 
as  I can  fcarce  datter  myfelf  that  any  of  them  will  be 
podeded  of  the  knowledge  requidte  for  conducing 
operations  in  Carolina  without  having  ever  ferved  in 
that  country,  or  be  fo  competent  to  the  command 
there  as  officers  of  more  local  experience.  I therefore 
beg  leave  to  fubmit  to  your  Lordffiip  the  propriety 
of  fending  either  Major-general  Ledie  or  Brigadier- 
general  0‘Hara  to  Charles-town,  to  take  the  com- 
mand of  the  troops  in  that  didrict;  which  in  the 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  69 

prefent  critical  fituation  of  affairs  in  the  Southern 
Colonies,  will  certainly  require  an  officer  of  experi- 
ence, and  a perfed  knowledge  of  the  country.  Had 
it  been  poffible  for  your  Lordfhip  in  your  letter  to 
me  of  the  loth  ult.  to  have  intimated  the  probability 
of  your  intention  to  form  a junction  with  General 
Phillips,  I fhould  certainly  have  endeavoured  to  have 
flopped  you,  as  I did  then,  as  well  as  now,  confider 
fuch  a move  as  likely  to  be  dangerous  to  our  interefls 
in  the  Southern  Colonies.  And  this,  my  Lord,  was 
not  my  only  fear;  for  I will  be  free  to  own,  that  I 
was  apprehenfive  for  the  corps  under  your  Lordfhips 
immediate  orders,  as  well  as  for  that  under  Lord 
Rawdon;  and  I fhould  not  have  thought  even  the 
one  under  Major-general  Phillips  in  fafety  at  Peterf- 
burg,  at  leaf!  for  fo  long  a time,  had  I not  fortunately 
on  hearing  of  your  being  at  Wilmington  fent  another 
detachment  from  this  army  to  reinforce  him. 

I am  perfuaded  your  Lordfhip  will  have  the  good- 
nefs  to  excufe  my  faying  thus  much;  but  what  is 
done,  cannot  now  be  altered;  and  as  your  Lordfhip 
has  thought  proper  to  make  this  decifion,  I fhall 
moft  gladly  avail  myfelf  of  your  very  able  affiftance 
in  carrying  on  fuch  operations  as  you  fhall  judge  beft 
in  Virginia,  until  we  are  compelled,  as  I fear  we  muft 
be,  by  the  climate,  to  bring  them  more  northward. 
Your  Lordfhip  will  have  been  informed  of  my  ideas 
refpeding  operations  to  the  northward  of  the  Caro- 
linas,  by  my  inftruftions  to  the  different  General 

officers 


70 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


officers  detached  to  the  Chefapeak;  and  the  fubftance 
of  fome  converfations  with  General  Phillips  on  that 
fubjeft,  which  I committed  to  writing  and  fent  to 
him  with  my  laft  difpatch,  with  directions  to  com- 
municate it  to  your  Lordffiip.  By  thefe  your  Lord- 
fhip  will  obferve  that  my  firft  objeCl  has  ever  been  a 
co-operation  with  your  meafures;  but  your  Lord- 
ffiip’s  fituation  at  different  periods,  made  it  neceffary 
for  me  occafionally  to  vary  my  inftruCtions  to  thofe 
General  officers  according  to  circumftances.  They 
were  originally  directed  to  affift  your  Lordfhip’s 
operations  in  fecuring  South  and  recovering  North 
Carolina;  their  attention  was  afterwards  pointed  to 
the  faving  South  Carolina;  and  now  your  Lordffiip 
may  poffibly  think  it  neceffary  to  employ  your  force 
in  recovering  both  or  either  of  thofe  provinces,  by 
either  a direCt  or  indirect  operation.  With  refpeCt 
to  the  firft,  your  Lordffiip  muft  be  the  foie  judge; 
with  refpeCt  to  the  laft,  you  have  my  opinions,  which 
may  however  probably  give  way  to  yours,  ffiould 
they  differ  from  them,  as  they  will  have  the  advan- 
tage of  being  formed  on  the  fpot,  and  upon  circum- 
ftances, which  at  this  diftance  I cannot  of  courfe  judge 
of;  I ffiall  therefore  leave  them  totally  to  your  Lord- 
ffiip to  decide  upon,  until  you  either  hear  from  me 
or  we  meet. 

I ffiould  be  happy  to  be  able  to  afcertain  the  time 
when  our  reinforcements  may  arrive;  but  as  I have 
received  no  letters  from  the  minifter  of  a later  date 

than 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  7 i 

than  the  yth  of  February,  I am  at  a lofs  to  guefs 
how  foon  we  may  expeft  them.  As  I had  judged 
the  force  I fent  to  the  Chefapeak  fully  fufficient  for 
all  operations  there,  even  though  we  fhould  extend 
them  to  the  Experiment  (mentioned  in  the  conver- 
fations  referred  to)  at  the  Weftern  Head  of  Chefa- 
peak about  Baltimore,  &c.  and  your  Lordfhip  will 
perceive  that  it  was  Generals  Phillips  and  Arnold’s 
opinion,  they  were  fufficient  for  even  that  on  the 
Eaftern;  (which  however  might  certainly  require  a 
much  greater  force,)  it  is  poffible  that  the  additional 
corps  your  Lordffiip  has  brought  with  you,  may 
enable  you  to  return  fomething  to  me  for  this  poft; 
but  I beg  your  Lordffiip  will  by  no  means  confider 
this  as  a call;  for  I would  rather  content  myfelf  with 
ever  fo  bare  a defenfive,  until  there  was  an  appear- 
ance of  ferious  operations  againft  me,  than  cramp 
yours  in  the  lead.  But  (as  I faid  in  a former  letter) 
I truft  to  your  Lordffiip’s  difintereftedness,  that  you 
will  not  require  from  me  more  troops  than  are  abfo- 
lutely  wanted;  and  that  you  will  recollebt  a circum- 
ftance,  which  I am  ever  aware  of  in  carrying  on 
operations  in  the  Chefapeak,  which  is,  that  they  can 
be  no  longer  fecure  than  whilft  we  are  fuperior  at  fea. 
That  we  ffiall  remain  fo,  I moft  fincerely  hope;  nor 
have  I any  reafon  to  fufpedt  we  ffiall  not:  but  at  all 
events,  I may  at  lead  expert  timely  information  will 
be  fent  me  of  the  contrary  being  likely  to  happen. 
In  which  cafe  I hope  your  Lordffiip  may  be  able  to 

place 


n o 

/ ^ 


Correjpondence  relative  to 


place  yovir  army  in  a fecure  (ituation  during  fuch 
temporary  inconvenience;  for  fhould  it  become  per- 
manent I need  not  fay  what  our  profpefts  in  this 
country  are  likely  to  be.  The  Admiral  being  now 
off  the  Hook,  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  commu- 
nicating with  him  by  letter;  and  I have  in  the  moft 
preffing  terms  requefted  his  attention  to  the  Chefa- 
peak,  having  repeatedly  told  him,  that  fhould  the 
enemy  poffefs  it  even  for  forty-eight  hours  your 
Lordfhip’s  operations  there  may  be  expofed  to  moft 
imminent  danger.  General  Robertfon  has  alfo  en- 
deavoured to  imprefs  him  with  the  fame  ideas;  but 
until  I have  an  anfwer  in  writing  I cannot  be  fure 
that  he  will,  as  I do,  confider  the  Chefapeak  as  the 
firft  objeft.  For  he  at  prefent  feems  rather  inclined 
to  lead  his  fleet  to  open  the  Port  of  Rhode-Ifland, 
and  to  cruile  to  the  northward  of  Nantucket,  for  a 
fleet  which  he  has  heard  is  coming  from  Europe  with 
a fmall  reinforcement  to  the  French  armament,  and 
which  I am  of  opinion  is  bound  to  Rhode-Ifland.  I 
have,  however,  taken  every  occafton  to  reprefent  to 
him  the  neceffity  of  hearty  co-operation  and  commu- 
nication; if  they  fail,  I am  determined  it  fhall  not  be 
on  my  flde. 

The  requifitions  your  Lordfhip  has  made  in  your 
letter  to  me  of  the  20th  inftant,  for  horfe  accoutre- 
ments, &c.  fliall  be  fupplied  to  the  utmoft  extent  of 
our  abilities;  and  the  inclofed  extracts  of  letters  from 
Lieutenant-colonel  Innes  to  his  deputy  at  Charles- 

Town, 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  73 

Town,  &c.  will  explain  to  your  Lordfhip  why  they 
are  not  more  ample. 

June  I ft.  I have  this  moment  received  the  Ad- 
miral’s anfwer  to  my  letter;  and  I am  to  fuppofe 
from  it  that  he  will  do  every  thing  in  his  power  to 
guard  the  Chefapeak.  The  copy  is  inclofed  for  your 
Lordfhip’s  information.  I heartily  wifh  he  may 
continue  in  this  difpofttion;  the  neceflity  of  which  I 
fhall  not  fail  to  urge  by  every  opportunity  he  mav 
give  me  of  communicating  with  him. 

As  I fhall  frequently  fend  one  of  my  advice  boats 
to  your  Lordfhip  with  any  information  which  may 
deferve  your  attention,  I hope  to  hear  often  from 
you  by  the  fame  conveyance.  Lord  Chewton  has  a 
cypher,  which  was  given  him  for  that  purpofe:  but 
fhould  he  not  have  joined  you,  we  may  make  ufe  of 
Colonel  Dundas’s  until  he  does. 

I fhall  fpare  your  Lordfhip  and  myfelf  the  pain 
of  faying  much  to  you  on  the  lofs  of  our  valuable 
friend;  I feel  it  too  fenfibly  for  expreflion. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


M 


N U M- 


74 


Correfpondence  relative  to 


NUMBER  VI. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
Portjmouth,  Virginia^  July  24,  1781. 

S I R, 

I FIND  by  your  Excellency’s  letter  of  the  29th 
of  May,  delivered  to  me  by  Lieutenant-colonel 
M‘Pherfon  on  the  12th  of  this  month,  that  neither 
my  march  from  Crofs  Creek  to  Wilmington,  or  from 
thence  to  Peterfburg,  meets  with  your  Approbation. 
The  move  from  Crofs  Creek  to  Wilmington  was  ab- 
folutely  necelfary,  fuch  was  the  fituation  and  diftrefs 
of  the  troops;  and  fo  great  were  the  fufferings  of  the 
fick  and  wounded,  that  I had  no  option  left.  I tried 
many  methods  of  informing  Lord  Rawdon  of  it; 
they  all  failed.  I had  left  fuch  a force  in  South 
Carolina,  that,  if  Lord  Rawdon  could  have  had 
timely  notice  of  the  probability  of  General  Greene’s 
moving  towards  that  province,  and  could  have  called 
in  Lieutenant  colonel  Watfon,  General  Greene  would 
not  have  ventured  to  have  placed  himfelf  before 
Camden. 

On  the  22d  of  April  I received  a difpatch  from 
Lieutenant-colonel  Balfour,  inclofing  a letter  from 
Lord  Rawdon  of  the  13th,  apprizing  him  of  General 
Greene’s  approach,  and  faying  that  he  could  not  hope 
to  get  Lieutenant-colonel  Watfon  to  him  in  time; 

and 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia.  75 

and  that  he  had  then  at  lead:  fifteen  days  provifion. 
The  fate  of  the  garrifon  of  Camden  mufi;  have  been 
decided  before  I could  have  hoped  to  have  reached 
the  Pedee  or  Waggamaw.  I had  then  no  certainty 
of  being  able  to  get  veflels  in  time  to  afiifi:  in  palling 
the  latter.  From  Wilmington  to  the  Waggamaw  is 
a perfedl  defert;  and  indeed  in  all  that  low  countrv 
it  is  impoflible  to  fubfill  in  the  fummer,  for  want  of 
water  to  turn  the  mills. 

Had  a misfortune  happened  to  Lord  Rawdon’s 
corps,  I knew  that  the  whole  country  Fall  of  Santee 
and  Pedee  would  be  in  arms  againft;  us.  I therefore 
did  not  think  that  I could,  with  thirteen  hundred  in- 
fantry and  two  hundred  cavalry,  undertake  fuch  a 
march,  and  the  paflage  of  two  fuch  rivers  as  the  Pe- 
dee and  Santee,  without  expofing  the  corps  under  my 
command  to  the  utmoft  hazard  of  difgrace  and  ruin. 
If,  on  the  contrary.  Lord  Rawdon  fhould  have  ef- 
febled  his  retreat  from  Camden,  and  have  affembled 
his  whole  force  Weft  of  Santee,  I was  convinced  that 
General  Greene  could  do  no  effecftual  mifchief  but 
over-running  the  back  country,  which  I fhould  arrive 
too  late  to  prevent,  and  which  different  corps  of  the 
rebels  have  conftantly  done  ever  fince  the  firft  battle 
of  Camden,  exclufive  only  of  the  ground  on  which 
our  forts  were  conftrudled.  I fhould  therefore  have 
carried  back  my  army  to  South  Carolina,  giving 
every  advantage  to  General  Greene’s  movement,  in 
order  to  commence  a defenfive  war  on  the  frontiers  of 

that 


76  Correjpondence  relative  to 

that  province,  which  I have  long  fince  declared,  both 
to  yourfelf  and  to  the  minifter,  to  be  in  my  opinion 
impracticable,  againft  the  rebellious  inhabitants  fup- 
ported  by  a continental  army.  In  the  meafure  which 
I purfued,  I neither  rilked  my  own  corps  or  Major- 
general  Phillips’s,  being  determined  to  return  to 
Wilmington  from  Halifax,  unlefs  I heard  from  that 
officer  that  I could  join  him  with  fafety;  the  great 
quantity  of  provifions,  which  I was  credibly  informed 
I ffiould  find  at  Halifax,  would  eafily  enable  me  to 
return.  Major-general  Phillips  could  be  in  no  danger, 
as  I had  written  exprefsly  to  him  to  take  no  meafures 
in  confequence  of  my  letter  that  could  expofe  his  corps 
to  hazard;  and  indeed  I cannot  help  obferving,  that 
in  this  inftance  your  Excellency  feems  to  think  the 
force  of  Virginia  more  formidable  than  you  have 
done  on  fome  other  occafions.  With  the  warmefl; 
zeal  for  the  fervice  of  my  king  and  country,  I am 
confcious  that  my  judgement  is  liable  to  error.  Per- 
haps, in  the  difficult  fituation  I was  in  at  Wilming- 
ton, the  meafure  which  I adopted  was  not  the  beft; 
but  I have  at  leaft  the  fatisfaCtion  to  find,  by  the  in- 
tercepted letters  of  the  14th  of  May,  from  General 
Greene  to  Baron  Steuben,  that  it  was  not  agreeable 
to  his  wiffies  that  I came  into  Virginia. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


C O R R E S- 


77 


Earl  Cornwallis  s March  into  Virginia. 


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CORRESPONDENCE 

BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  III. 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  OPERATIONS 
IN  VIRGINIA. 


NUMBER  1. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  dated  Byrd's 
Plantation^  James  River,  May  26,  1781. 

S I R, 

I HAVE  confented  to  the  requeft  of  Brigadier- 
general  Arnold  to  go  to  New  York;  he  conceives 
that  your  Excellency  wifhes  him  to  attend  you  there, 
and  his  prefent  indifpofition  renders  him  unequal  to 
the  fatigue  of  fervice.  He  will  reprefent  the  horrid 
enormities  which  are  committed  by  our  privateers  in 

Chefapeak- 


8o 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Chefapeak-bay ; and  I muft  join  my  earneft  wifh, 
that  home  remedy  may  be  applied  to  an  evil  which 
is  fo  very  prejudicial  to  his  Majefty’s  fervice. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  11. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
Byrd's  Plantation,  North  of  James  River,  iGth  of 
May,  1781. 

S I R, 

THE  reinforcement  is  fafely  arrived  in  James 
River,  and  I opened  all  your  difpatches  to  poor 
Phillips,  marked  On  his  Majefty  s fervice. 

I hope  that  your  Excellency  has  received  my  let- 
ters from  Wilmington,  and  one  of  the  20th  from 
Peterfburgh;  as  the  latter  went  by  an  uncertain  con- 
veyance, I fend  a duplicate  of  it. 

The  arrival  of  the  reinforcement  has  made  me  eafy 
about  Portfmouth  for  the  prefent.  I have  fent  Ge- 
neral Leflie  thither  with  the  feventeenth  regiment 
and  the  two  battalions  of  Anfpach,  keeping  the  forty- 
third  regiment  with  the  army.  I Ihall  now  proceed 
to  diflodge  La  Fayette  from  Richmond,  and  with 
my  light  troops  to  deftroy  any  magazines  or  {lores 
in  the  neighbourhood  which  may  have  been  colleded 

either 


Operations  in  Virginia.  8 1 

either  for  his  ufe  or  for  General  Greene’s  army. 
From  thence  I purpofe  to  move  to  the  NeckatWil- 
liamfburgh,  which  is  reprefented  as  healthy,  and 
where  fome  fubfiftence  may  be  procured;  and  keep 
myfelf  unengaged  from  operations  which  might  in- 
terfere with  your  plan  for  the  campaign,  until  I have 
the  fatisfaftion  of  hearing  from  you.  I hope  I fhall 
then  have  an  opportunity  to  receive  better  informa- 
tion than  has  hitherto  been  in  my  power  to  procure, 
relative  to  a proper  harbour  and  place  of  arms.  At 
prefent  I am  inclined  to  think  well  of  York.  The 
objections  to  Portfmouth  are,  that  it  cannot  be  made 
ftrong  without  an  army  to  defend  it,  that  it  is  re- 
markably unhealthy,  and  can  give  no  protection  to 
a fhip  of  the  line.  Wayne  has  not  yet  joined  La 
Fayette;  nor  can  I pohtively  learn  where  he  is,  nor 
what  is  his  force.  Greene’s  cavalry  are  faid  to  be 
coming  this  way;  but  I have  no  certain  accounts 
of  it. 

Your  Excellency  defires  General  Phillips  and  Ar- 
nold to  give  you  their  opinion  relative  to  Mr.  Alex- 
ander s propofal.  As  General  Arnold  goes  to  New 
York  by  the  firft  fafe  conveyance,  you  will  have  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  his  fentiments  in  perfon. 

Experience  has  made  me  lefs  fanguine,  and  more 
arrangements  feem  to  me  neceflary  for  fo  important 
an  expedition  than  appear  to  occur  to  General  Arnold. 

Mr.  Alexander  s converfations  bear  too  ftrong  a 
refemblance  to  thofe  of  the  emiftaries  from  North 
M Carolina 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Carolina  to  give  me  much  confidence;  and,  from  the 
experience  I have  had,  and  the  dangers  I have  under- 
gone, one  maxim  appears  to  me  to  be  abfolutely 
neceffary  for  the  fafe  and  honourable  condudl;  of  this 
war,  which  is,  that  we  Ihould  have  as  few  poflis  as 
polfible,  and  that  wherever  the  King’s  troops  are, 
they  fhould  be  in  refpeftable  force.  By  the  vigorous 
exertions  of  the  prefent  governors  of  America,  large 
bodies  of  men  are  foon  collecfted;  and  I have  too 
often  obferved,  that  when  a ftorm  threatens  our  friends 
difappear. 

In  regard  to  taking  pofleflion  of  Philadelphia  by 
an  incurfion,  (even  if  pradlicable,)  without  an  inten- 
tion of  keeping  or  burning  it,  (neither  of  which  ap- 
pear to  be  advifeable,)  I fhould  apprehend  it  would 
do  more  harm  than  good  to  the  caufe  of  Britain. 

I fhall  take  the  liberty  of  repeating,  that,  if  oflen- 
five  war  is  intended,  Virginia  appears  to  me  to  be 
the  only  province  in  which  it  can  be  carried  on,  and 
in  which  there  is  a flake.  But  to  reduce  the  province, 
and  keep  pofTeffion  of  the  country,  a confiderable  army 
would  be  neceffary;  for,  with  a fmall  force,  the  bufi- 
nefs  would  probably  terminate  unfavourably,  though 
the  beginning  might  be  fuccefsful.  In  cafe  it  is 
thought  expedient,  and  a proper  army  for  the  at- 
tempt can  be  formed,  I hope  your  Excellency  will 
do  me  the  juftice  to  believe,  that  I neither  wifh  nor 
expedt  to  have  the  command  of  it,  leaving  you  at 
New  York  on  the  defenfive.  Such  fentiments  are  fo 

far 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


far  from  my  heart,  that  I can  with  great  truth  aflure 
you,  that  few  things  could  give  me  greater  pleafure 
than  being  relieved  by  your  prefence  from  a fituation 
of  fo  much  anxiety  and  refponhbility. 

By  my  letter  of  the  20th,  your  Excellency  will 
obferve,  that,  inftead  of  thinking  it  poflible  to  do 
any  thing  in  North  Carolina,  I am  of  opinion  that 
it  is  doubtful  whether  we  can  keep  the  polls  in  the 
back  part  of  South  Carolina;  and  I believe  I have 
Hated,  in  former  letters,  the  infinite  difficulty  of  pro- 
tedling  a frontier  of  three  hundred  miles  againll  a 
perfevering  enemy,  in  a country  where  we  have  no 
water  communication,  and  where  few  of  the  inhabit- 
ants are  aftive  or  ufeful  friends. 

In  enumerating  the  corps  employed  in  the  Southern 
Dillrift,  your  Excellency  will  recoiled;  that  they  are 
all  very  weak,  and  that  fome  of  the  Britiffi  as  well  as 
Provincial  regiments  retain  nothing  but  the  name. 

Our  weaknefs  at  Guildford  was  not  owing  to  any 
detachment,  unlefs  that  with  the  baggage;  but  to  our 
loffies  by  adion,  licknefs,  &c.  during  the  winter’s 
campaign. 

I faw  with  concern  that  you  thought  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Balfour  had  aded  injudicioully  in  fending 
home  fome  transports.  That  buHnefs  has,  I appre- 
hend, been  mifreprefented  by  perfons  interelled  in 
retaining  rotten  velTels  in  the  fervice  of  Government. 
The  circumllances  I do  not  now  perfedly  recoiled, 
but  I believe  you  will  find  that  the  fhips  fent  home 

were 


84 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


were  either  vidluallers,  which  the  Treafury  defired  in 
the  ftrongeft  manner,  or  tranfports  which  were  fo 
exceedingly  bad  that  they  could  never  have  gone  out 
with  fafety,  after  a ftay  of  three  months  in  Charles- 
town harbour.  Whatever  was  done  in  it  was  with 
my  approbation  at  the  time,  appearing  evidently  for 
the  good  of  the  fervice:  I,  therefore,  think  it  my 
duty  to  exculpate  Lieutenant-colonel  Balfour,  whom 
I have  found,  on  all  occafions,  a moll  zealous,  intel- 
ligent, and  deferving  officer. 

Colonel  Robinfon’s  corps  is  fo  weak,  and  deferts 
fo  fall,  that  at  the  recommendation  of  General  Ar- 
nold, I have  confented  that  it  fhall  return  in  the 
tranfports  to  New-York. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


85 


NUMBER  III. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K.  B.  to  Major-general  Phillips,  dated 
March  14,  1781,  half  pajl  Pwo. 

[Received  at  Peterfburgh  by  Earl  Cornwallis,  May  20.] 

DEAR  PHILLIPS, 

BY  the  enclofed  from  the  Admiral  you  will  fee 
that  the  want  of  intelligence  has  again  loft  us  a fair 
opportunity  of  giving  mortal  blow.”  I hope,  how- 
ever, he  will  ftill  overtake  them  before  they  reach 
Chefapeak;  they  failed  in  a fnow  ftorm  on  Wednef- 
day,  and  I fear  he  was  not  out  of  Gardiner’s  Bay  till 
Saturday.  He  was,  however,  left  purfuing  on  the 
I ith,  with  all  his  coppers  and  a fair  wind.  I think, 
if  he  does  not  overtake  them  at  fea,  they  will  not  rilk 
an  aftion  in  Lynhaven-bay,  and  will  therefore  pro- 
ceed with  their  whole  fleet  to  York,  as  I told  the 
Admiral  they  would,  and  there,  perhaps,  lay;  and  I 
had  almoft  {zidi  fajcinate  the  Admiral  till  another  fleet 
arrives;  if  from  Europe,  it  ought  not  to  come  with- 
out a hint  from  thence;  from  the  Weft  Indies  it  will 
not  probably  come  unaccompanied  by  our  friend  Sir 
George.  ’Tis  poffible  it  only  means  to  fee  the  tranf- 
ports  off*  the  Chefapeak,  and  then  proceed  to  the 
IVeJl-Indies  with  the  fleet  of  men  of  war;  ’tis  polTible, 
alfo,  that  the  whole  is  gone  to  the  Weft-Indies,  for 

it 


86 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


it  is  a bold  move  to  evacuate  Rhode-ifland,  and  pro- 
ceed to  the  Chefapeak  fo  encumbered,  liable  to  be 
followed  by  an  unencumbered  fuperior  copper  fleet. 
God  fend  our  old  Admiral  fuccefs ! I depend  on 
early  information  from  you,  and  fhall  prepare  for 
every  polTible  event. — Recolle6l  that  we  have  not  a 
fingle  tranfport  till  you  fend  fome.  With  every  wifh 
for  your  health  and  fuccefs. 

Believe  me,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

The  fchooner  fhall  attend  you,  though  we  can  ill 
fpare  her.  As  often  as  poffible  communicate  by 
thefe  veflels;  they  make  their  paffage  better  than  the 
frigates. 

P.  S.  I have  received  your  letters. 

In  addition  to  what  I have  written  above,  pray 
obferve  me  well  in  what  I am  faying. 

I think,  if  the  French  are  gone  to  Chefapeak,  they 
will  fhelter  themfelves  in  York-River. — The  Admiral 
will  immediately  hold  his  ufual  language — that  he 
waits  for  the  army.  That  from  South-Carolina  can- 
not come,  as  Colonel  Balfour  has  very  injudicioufly 
fent  home  the  tranfports. — I cannot  move  a man  till 
you  fend  back  tranfports;  but,  if  he  propofes  any 
thing  to  you,  he  muft  firfl;  declare  in  writing  pofi- 
tively  what  he  thinks  his  fleet  will  do,  or  at  leafl: 

attempt 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


87 


attempt,  before  you  can  decide;  and  then,  after  con- 
fulting  your  officers,  let  me  know  your  opinion  what 
can  be  done,  and  what  land  force  it  will  require  to 
do  it.  If  all  agree  that  they  will  be  unattackable  in 
that  ftation,  it  mull:  be  blocked,  and  then  we  mull  do 
our  bell:  to  affifl;  Lord  Cornwallis’s  operations,  or 
carry  on  defultory  operations  in  the  Chefapeak  till 
fome  other  plan  can  be  fettled;  but  all  rnuft  be  fettled 
in  formal  council. 


NUMBER  IV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K.  B.  to  Major-general  Phillips,  dated 
New-Tork,  March  24,  1781. 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  at  Peterfburg,  May  20.] 

DEAR  SIR, 

I BELIEVE  that  Lord  Cornwallis  has  finiffied 
his  campaign,  and,  if  report  fays  true,  very  hand- 
fomely,  by  taking  all  Greene’s  cannon,  and  recover- 
ing the  greatell  part  of  his  own  men  who  had  been 
made  prifoners  by  Mr.  Greene. — If  that  ffiould  be 
the  cafe,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  does  not  want  any  co- 
operation to  affift  him,  and  you  fee  no  profped:  of 
ftriking  an  important  droke  elfewhere,  I ffiall  pro- 
bably requeft  you  and  General  Arnold  to  return  to 
me,  with  fuch  troops  as  I have  already  named  in  my 

inftrudtions. 


88 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


inftruftions.  But  all  this  will  depend  on  the  infor- 
mation I fhall  receive  from  you,  and  your  opinion 
refpedting  the  poll  at  Portfmouth,  and  fuch  others 
as  you  propofe  to  eftablifh  on  James  river,  with 
their  importance  confidered,  either  as  aflifting  Lord 
Cornwallis’s  operations,  or  connedled  with  thofe  of 
the  navy. 

When  you  return,  you  will  be  pleafed  to  bring 
with  you  a fmall  proportion  of  howitzes,  mortars, 
cohorns,  &c.  fo  placed  in  the  velfel  in  which  they 
are  embarked,  as  to  be  ready  to  land  direftly,  as  it 
is  very  likely  we  may  proceed  upon  fome  operation 
immediately  on  your  arrival. 

I believe  Fayette  is  intrenched  at  Annapolis,  and 
that  his  corps  does  not  now  exceed  nine  hundred 
men,  though  he  ftarted  with  thirteen  hundred.  You 
may  polTibly  attempt  him  in  earned; — he  will,  at  all 
events,  ferve  as  a malk  to  your  return  to  us. 

You  will  probably  hear  from  Lord  Cornwallis 
before  you  determine  on  any  attempt  at  a diftance 
from  him. — I wifh  much  to  know  what  troops  he 
thinks  he  can  fpare  from  the  troops  under  his  Lord- 
fhip’s  immediate  orders;  for,  till  I do,  ’tis  impolfible 
to  fix  any  plan. — Three  complete  regiments  will,  I 
hope,  arrive  at  Charles-town  in  the  courfe  of  a few 
days,  if  Captain  Elphinfton  fhould  think  it  too  early 
in  the  feafon  to  come  direbtly  here;  and  three  more 
are  hourly  expefted  from  the  Weft-Indies,  both 
which  divifions  will,  of  courfe,  join  me. 


The 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


89 


The  French  certainly  expedt  an  early  reinforce- 
ment; if  it  comes  from  Europe,  we  muft,  I think, 
hear  from  thence  long  before  it  arrives:  if  from  the 
Havannah,  copper-bottomed  Hoops  or  frigates,  which 
the  Admiral  will  doubtlefs  have  on  the  look  out, 
will  announce  their  arrival,  and  give  you  time  to 
determine  what,  in  that  cafe,  will  be  beft  to  be  done. 
— And  here  I take  the  liberty  of  hinting  to  you, 
that  (from  the  appearance  on  the  map)  when  you 
have  once  obtained  a naval  force  in  Curratuck  and 
Albemarle  Sounds,  by  holding  the  bridges  of  Pequi- 
mans  and  Pafquotank  rivers,  you  fecure  a fhort  paf- 
fage  across  the  Albermarle-found,  and  communication 
with  Lord  Cornwallis;  or,  by  deftroying  the  bridges 
on  thofe  rivers,  you  prevent  the  enemy’s  approach 
by  the  bridge  at  North  Weft  landing. 

Upon  thofe  hints  I requeft  your  opinion,  in  cypher, 
as  foon  as  poflible. — In  the  mean  time  I fliall  prepare 
for  what  may  probably  be  your  determination,  after 
talking  with  Brigadier-general  Arnold. 

I beg  you  will  be  fo  good  to  forward  the  enclofed 
to  Lieutenant-colonel  Moncrief  by  the  firft  oppor- 
tunity to  Charles-town,  and  that  you  will  bring  Mr. 
Fyers,  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  with  you,  when  you 
return  to  this  place. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N 


P.  s. 


90 


Correjfondence  relative  to  the 


P.  S.  Pray  fend  Brigadier-general  Arnold  here  by 
the  firft  good  opportunity,  if  you  Ihould  not  have 
particular  occahon  for  his  fervices. 


NUMBER  V. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Major-general  Phillips,  dated 
New-Tork,  April  ii,  1781. 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis,  at  Peterfburg,  May  24.] 

Your  letter  of  the  3d  inftant,  by  Captain  Chads, 
which  I am  this  day  favoured  with,  makes  me  appre- 
henfive  left  you  may  have  mifconceived  my  intentions 
with  regard  to  the  order  in  which  I wiftied  that  the 
different  objebls  recommended  to  you  in  my  inftruc- 
tions  fhould  be  attended  to;  and  that  your  having 
in  confequence  propofed  to  commence  with  ftrength- 
ening  the  works  at  Portfmouth,  may  occafion  fome 
delay  of  the  operations  delired  to  favour  thofe  of 
Lord  Cornwallis,  whofe  fttuation  after  the  aftion  of 
the  15th  ult.  might  not  only  derive  the  greateft  ad- 
vantage from,  but  indeed  might  poflibly  be  fo  critical 
as  even  to  require  a timely  exertion  of  the  troops 
under  your  command. 

You  will,  therefore,  have  the  goodness  to  forgive 
me,  if  I requeft  you  to  recolledl,  that  at  the  time 
thofe  inftrublions  were  drawn  up.  General  Arnold 
was  partly  invefted  by  a confiderable  body  of  militia, 

and 


Operations  in  Virginia.  9 1 

and  threatened  with  an  attack  from  the  French  ar- 
mament from  Rhode-illand,  and  Fayette’s  corps  then 
on  their  march  to  Virginia,  which  naturally  pointed 
out  the  Jecurity  of  him,  the  troops  under  his  orders,  and 
the  pofts  on  Elizabeth-riv^r,  as  the  principal  object  of 
your  expedition;  which  words  were  certainly  intended 
to  mean  no  more  than  relieving  them  from  their 
fuppofed  danger,  by  either  forming  a jundlion  with 
General  Arnold,  or  taking  fuch  meafures  againft  the 
enemies  oppofed  to  him  as  might  mod:  effeflually 
enable  you  to  throw  into  his  lines  an  immediate  fup- 
ply  of  provifions  and  men;  for  how  could  I imagine 
that  the  poll  at  Portfmouth,  which  General  Arnold 
had  but  juft  informed  me,  in  his  letter  of  the  27th 
of  February,  he  could  defend  againft  the  force  of 
the  country,  and  two  thoufand  French  troops,  until 
a reinforcement  arrived  from  hence,  would  require 
additional  works  for  its  fecurity,  after  you  had  joined 
him  with  fo  confiderable  a reinforcement,  or  was  add- 
ing againft  the  rebel  ftations  in  its  neighbourhood? 
And  I could  not  but  fuppofe  that  you  yourfelt  com- 
prehended what  I intended  to  be  the  firft  objed:  of 
my  inftrudions,  when  you  tell  me  in  your  letter,  by 
Serjeant  Coulter,  that  the  propofed  confultation 
would  go,  the  firft  inftance  to  the  fecurity  of  this 
'''' poft,  and  in  the  next  to  the  fulfilling  the  firft  objebl 
“of  your  Excellency’s  inftrudions.”  Which,  (excufe 
me  for  repeating  it)  has  been  invariably  in  all  my 
inftrudions  to  the  General-officers  fent  to  the  Chela- 

peak, 


92 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


peak,  operation  in  favour  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  But,  if 
you  will  have  the  goodness  to  read  thofe  I gave  you 
once  more,  I am  fure  you  will  perceive  that  what 
I have  faid  about  ftrengthening  the  prefent  works  on 
Elizabeth-river,  and  adding  fuch  others  as  you  fhall  think 
necejfary,  is  placed  fubfequent  in  order  to  moft  of  the 
other  objects  recommended  to  you,  and  they  were  of 
courfe  defigned  to  have  been  taken  into  confideration 
after  thofe  had  been  accomplifhed,  and  you  were  upon 
the  point  of  returning  to  me  with  part  of  your  prefent 
force. 

I am  always  happy  to  receive  your  opinions  refpedl- 
ing  the  different  operations  of  the  war  in  this  coun- 
try, particularly  thofe  immediately  connected  with 
your  own  ftation.  I,  therefore,  of  courfe,  Ihall  pay 
every  attention  to  what  you  fay  about  the  poll  at 
Portfmouth,  and  feel  myfelf  greatly  obliged  to  you 
for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  inveftigate  its  good 
and  bad  properties.  My  ideas  of  a poft  on  Eliza- 
beth-river have  continued  uniformly  the  fame  fince 
I firft  took  a view  of  it,  having  always  confidered  it 
merely  as  a ftation  to  protedl  the  King’s  fhips,  which 
might  occafionally  fail  from  thence  to  cruize  in  the 
waters  of  the  Chefapeak,  and  command  its  entrance. 
I,  therefore,  only  wifhed  to  have  there  fuch  a num- 
ber of  troops  as  might  be  fufficient  for  its  defence, 
and  which,  being  occafionally  reinforced,  as  circum- 
ftances  ftiould  require  and  our  abilities  admit,  might 
ad:  offenftvely  in  diftrefting  and  embarrafting  the 

meafures 


Operations  in  Virginia,  93 

meafures  of  the  enemy  in  its  neighbourhood. — For, 
God  forbid  I fhould  think  of  burying  the  elite  of 
my  army  in  Nanfemond  and  Princefs  Anne!  thefe 
ideas  I communicated  to  the  General  officers  I fent 
on  that  fervice;  and  they  each  adopted  fuch  as  ap- 
peared to  them  beft  calculated  to  answer  the  intended 
purpofe.  My  own  opinion  indeed  was  that  we  ffiould 
poffiefs  a clofe  work  at  Mill  Point,  (which  Fyers  forti- 
fied by  my  order  in  1776,  as  he  will  remember,) 
another  at  Norfolk,  and  a third  fomewhere  on  the 
oppofite  fide  of  the  river:  but  as  I had  been  there  only 
for  a very  ffiort  time,  I could  not  of  courfe  but  be 
influenced  by  the  reprefentations  of  the  General  offi- 
cers and  Engineers  on  the  fpot,  who  had  more  time, 
and  better  opportunity  to  examine  all  the  different 
pofitions  on  that  river.  General  Leflie  therefore 
having  informed  me  that  he  had,  with  the  unanimous 
fuffrage  of  the  fea  and  land  officers  on  the  expedition, 
made  choice  of  Portfmouth,  (which  probably  he 
did  with  a view  of  putting  our  friends  of  Princefs 
Anne,  &c.  under  cover  and  protedlion,  but,  by  your 
account,  a fmall  houfe,  I fear,  will  be  fufficient  for 
them  all,)  and  his  Engineer,  Captain  Sutherland, 
having  in  confequence  began  a work  there,  which  he 
was  of  opinion  could  in  a few  days  be  in  a ftate  to  be 
perfectly  fecure  with  a fmall  garrifon;  I was  induced 
to  recommend  to  General  Arnold  the  occupying  the 
fame  ground:  and  though  I muff  do  the  juftice  to 
that  General  officer  to  acknowledge  that  he  gave  me, 

in 


94 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


in  his  letter  of  the  23d  of  January,  a very  different 
reprefentation  of  the  poft  at  Portfmouth,  from  the 
one  given  me  by  Major-general  Lellie;  circum- 
ftances  became  so  critical  at  the  time  I received  it, 
in  confequence  of  the  French  preparations  at  Rhode- 
Ifland,  and  the  numerous  militia  who  were  colleft- 
ing  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  that  I thought 
it  an  improper  time  to  change  the  ffation,  becaufe 
good  or  bad,  fuch  as  it  was,  it  mull  for  the  prefent 
be  defended.  I accordingly  thought  it  right  to  defer, 
to  fome  more  proper  occafion,  the  writing  to  General 
Arnold  on  the  fubjedt;  and  I was  afterwards  happy 
to  find  by  his  letter  to  me  of  the  27th  of  February, 
that  his  works  there  were  in  fuch  forwardnefs;  and 
that  he  was  even  preparing  to  fend  up  James  River, 
an  expedition  of  five  hundred  men.  All  thefe  cir- 
cumftances  confidered,  I was  led  to  fuppofe  that  the 
poll  at  Portfmouth,  was  now  rendered  an  eligible 
one  by  the  manner  in  which  it  was  fortified.  How- 
ever, as  I intimated  before,  it  is  by  no  means  a 
pofition  of  my  choice,  and  if  you  and  General  Arnold 
have  fuch  good  reafons  to  condemn  it,  it  may  be 
right  to  return  to  our  original  objedl,  a ftation  to 
protehl  the  King  s Jhips,  which  is  capable  of  being  main- 
tained by  a garrijon  of  about  five  on  fix  hundred  men; 
and  if  Mill-Point  will  anfwer  thefe  purpofes  with- 
out Norfolk,  and  the  correfponding  ftation  on  the 
oppofite  fide  of  the  river,  I can  have  no  objedtion; 

but 


Operations  in  Virginia.  95 

but  leave  it  to  you  to  adl  as  you  judge  beft  for  the 
King’s  fervice. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  VI. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Major-General  Phillips., 
dated  New-Tork,  April  16th,  1781. 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis,  at  Peterfburg,  May  24.] 

DEAR  SIR, 

YOUR  letters  of  the  15th,  i6th,  i8th,  and  19th 
inftant,  were  delivered  to  me  on  the  '22d  by  Captain 
Biggs  of  his  Majefty’s  fhip  Amphitrite.  And  I 
Ihould  have  now  entered  largely  into,  and  given  a 
detail  anfwer  (agreeable  to  your  delire)  to  the  feveral 
fubjedls  thereof,  if  I had  not  from  the  purport  of 
Lord  Cornwallis’s  letter  of  the  loth,  and  yours  of 
the  19th,  judged  it  to  be  unnecelfary  at  prefent  to 
give  either  you  or  myfelf  that  trouble. 

What  you  fay  in  your  letter  of  the  15th  inftant, 
refpebting  the  poll  at  Portfmouth,  and  the  choice  of 
another  fomewhere  elfe  on  Elizabeth  River,  you  will 
find  fully  anfwered  in  mine  to  you  of  the  i ith  which 
accompanies  this:  for  (though  written  above  a fort- 
night fince)  I had  no  fafe  opportunity  before  the 
prefent  of  fending  it  to  you. 


Lord 


96 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Lord  Cornwallis’s  arrival  at  Wilmington  has  con- 
fiderably  changed  the  complexion  of  our  affairs  to 
the  fouthward,  and  all  operations  to  the  northward 
muff  probably  give  place  to  thofe  in  favour  of  his 
Lordfhip,  which  at  prefent  appear  to  require  our 
more  immediate  attention.  I know  nothing  of  his 
Lordfhip’s  lituation  but  what  I have  learnt  from  his 
letter  to  me  of  the  loth,  which  you  have  read;  and 
as  I have  the  ffrongeff  reafon  to  believe  that  he  had 
above  three  thoufand  men  (exclufive  of  cavalry  and 
militia)  when  he  entered  North  Carolina,  I am  to- 
tally at  a lofs  to  conjedlure  how  his  numbers  came 
to  be  reduced  before  the  day  of  abtion  to  one  thou- 
fand three  hundred  and  fixty  infantry,  except  by 
fuppofing  (as  you  have  done)  that  he  had  previoufly 
weakened  his  army  by  detachments.  Of  this  how- 
ever, I fhall  probably  be  informed  when  I receive 
the  copy  of  his  Lordfhip’s  letter  to  the  Miniffer; 
and  I fhall  moft  likely  be  at  the  fame  time  informed 
what  profpefts  he  may  ftill  have  of  arming  the 
numerous  friends  we  were  taught  to  expebt  his  find- 
ing in  the  diflrifts  he  has  vifited  in  his  march  to,  and 
retreat  from,  Guildford;  without  whofe  affiftance  we 
fhall,  I fear,  hold  thofe  provinces  by  a very  precari- 
ous tenure. 

I had  great  hopes  before  I received  Lord  Corn- 
wallis’s letter,  that  his  Lordfhip  would  have  been  in 
a condition  to  have  fpared  a confiderable  part  of  his 
army  from  Carolina  for  the  operations  in  Chefapeak, 

but 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


97 


but  you  will  obferve  from  it  that,  inftead  of  fending 
any  part  of  his  prefent  force  thither,  he  propofes 
to  detain  a part  of  the  reinforcement  coming  from 
Europe  for  his  more  fouthern  operations,  even 
though  they  Ihould  be  defenhve.  I lhall  therefore 
take  the  opinions  of  the  General  officers  near  me 
upon  the  prefent  date  of  our  affairs,  and  I propofe 
afterwards  to  fend  you  fuch  a further  detachment 
from  this  army  as  we  may  judge  can  be  done  with 
tolerable  fecurity  to  this  poll,  at  lead  while  we  re- 
main fuperior  at  fea. 

With  fo  large  a force  as  you  will  then  have,  I 
flatter  myfelf  that  you  will  be  able  to  make  the 
moft  effeftual  exertions  either  direblly  or  indirectly 
in  Lord  Cornwallis’s  favour,  as  far  as  your  efforts 
on  the  ffiores  of  the  Chefapeak  can  co-operate  with 
what  he  may  be  doing  in  Carolina.  What  thefe, 
however,  may  be,  you,  as  being  upon  the  fpot,  muft 
certainly  be  the  beft  judge,  until  you  either  hear 
further  from  or  fee  his  Lordfhip. 

In  yours  and  Brigadier  General  Arnold’s  joint 
letter,  you  mention  that  from  one  thoufand  fix 
hundred  to  two  thoufand  more  men,  would  enable 
you  to  take  a pofl;  in  force  at  Peterfburg;  from 
whence  you  might  break  up  Mr.  Greene’s  commu- 
nications with  Virginia,  and  in  co-operation  with 
Lord  Cornwallis,  probably  difperfe  the  Rebel  army. 
And  that  you  could  moreover,  with  this  increaled 
ftrength,  attempt  Fayette’s  corps,  Baltimore,  and 

Annapolis, 


o 


98 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


Annapolis,  with  great  probability  of  fuccefs,  and 
finally  attempt  Philadelphia,  and  take  port  in  the 
lower  counties  of  Delaware,  for  which  you  appre- 
hend your  force  would  then  be  fufficient. 

The  fecurity  of  the  two  Carolinas  is  certainly  an 
objeft  of  the  greateft  importance,  and  fhould  at  all 
events  be  firft  attended  to.  Succefs  alfo  againft  any 
confiderable  corps  of  the  enemy,  which  may  be  col- 
lected any  where  within  reach,  and  the  taking  or 
deftroying  their  public  ftores,  magazines,  &c.  are 
undoubtedly  very  important  advantages.  But  there 
is  in  my  humble  opinion  ftill  another  operation, 
which  if  fuccefsful  would  be  moft  folidly  decifive  in 
its  confequences,  and  is  therefore  well  worth  our 
confideration.  It  is  the  trying  the  fame  experiment 
(which  has  hitherto  unfortunately  not  fucceeded  to  ^ 
the  fouthward)  in  other  diftriCts,  which  have  been 
reprefented  as  moft  friendly  to  the  King’s  interefts. 
Virginia  has  been  in  general  looked  upon  as  univer- 
fally  hoftile;  Maryland  has  not  been  as  yet  tried, 
but  is  fuppofed  to  be  not  quite  fo  much  fo;  but  the 
inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania  on  both  fides  of  the 
Sufquehannah,  York,  Lancafter,  Chefter,  and  the 
Peninfula  between  Chefapeak  and  Delaware,  are 
reprefented  to  me  to  be  friendly.  There  or  there- 
abouts, I think  this  experiment  fhould  now  be  tried, 
but  it  cannot  be  done  fairly  until  we  have  a force 
fufficient  not  only  to  go  there,  but  to  retain  a re- 
fpeClable  hold  of  the  country  afterwards,  fhould  it 

be 


99 


Operations  in  Virginia. 

be  judged  neceffary.  I wifh  that  our  numbers  were 
competent  to  the  occupying  two  correfponding  fta- 
tions  at  Baltimore  and  Elk  river.  Agreeable  to 
what  I mentioned  to  you  in  the  converfations  we 
have  had  together  on  this  fubjedt,  to  which  that  you 
may  be  able  on  occafion  to  refer,  I have  committed 
the  fubftance  of  them  to  writing,  and  fend  them  to 
you  inclofed.  This  I Ihould  have  done  fooner,  had 
I had  a fafe  opportunity  before.  I have  now  the 
greater  reafon  to  be  convinced  that  the  opinions  I 
then  gave  you  were  right,  from  a converfation  I have 
hnce  had  with  a very  intelligent  friend  of  ours  from 
the  country,  known  to  Colonel  Simcoe,  who  goes  to 
you  by  this  opportunity,  and  will  be  able  to  give  you 
the  fulled  information  thereon. 

April  30th.  I expected  that  the  Medea  would 
have  been  fent  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  that  Captain 
Duncan  would  have  been  appointed  by  the  Admiral 
to  condudl  the  naval  operations  in  the  Chefapeak, 
for  which  he  is  particularly  qualified  from  his  know- 
ledge of  thofe  waters,  and  his  having  had  the  man- 
agement of  that  bufinefs  in  Lord  Howe’s  command. 
But  the  Admiral  has  juft  wrote  to  me  that  he  cannot 
poflibly  at  prefent  fpare  Captain  Duncan,  and  that 
he  has  appointed  Captain  Hudfon  of  the  Richmond 
to  carry  my  difpatches  to  Chefapeak  and  Cape  Lear, 
and  afterwards  attend  this  fervice.  My  difpatches 
will  therefore  go  in  her  under  the  charge  of  Lord 
Chewton,  and  as  we  both  know  Captain  Hudfon’s 

great 


loo  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

great  zeal  to  co-operate  with  the  troops  on  all  occa- 
fions,  I hope  every  thing  will  go  on  under  his  direc- 
tion perfedlly  to  your  fatisfadlion. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

Inclofed  in  No,  VI. 

Subftance  of  Jeveral  Converjations  had  with  Major- 
general  Phillips^  on  the  Subject  of  Operations  in  the 
Chefapeak,  before  his  Embarkation  on  his  Expedition 
thither. 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  at  Peterfburg,  May  2.^-.] 

UNTIL  I know  Lord  Cornwallis’s  fuccefs  to  the 
Iduthward,  and  what  force  can  be  fpared  from  the 
fouthern  diftridl  for  further  operations,  and  until  the 
reinforcements  expedled  to  this  army  arrive;  fuch 
troops  as  are  in  the  Chefapeak  may  be  employed, 
firft  in  affifting  his  Lordfhip’s  operations,  and  then 
in  either  eftablifhing  a permanent  poll  near  the  en- 
trance of  that  bay  (if  the  naval  commander  does  not 
approve  of  the  one  in  Elizabeth  River,)  where  large 
Ihips  as  well  as  fmall  may  lie  in  fecurity  during  any 
temporary  fuperiority  of  the  enemy’s  fleet;  or  if  fuch 
a poll  cannot  be  found,  in  employing  what  remains 
of  the  feafon  in  carrying  on  defultory  expeditions 
againll  fuch  towns,  llations,  magazines,  &c.  as  the 
enemy  may  have  there; — to  convince  thofe  people 
more  by  what  we  can  do,  than  what  we  really  do, 

that 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


lOI 


that  they  are  in  our  power;  and  finally,  in  purfuing 
the  fame  plan  (fupporting  friends,)  in  a more  north- 
erly and  healthy  climate. 

With  regard  to  a ftation  for  the  proteftion  of  the 
King’s  fhips,  I know  of  no  place  fo  proper  as  York 
Town,  if  it  could  be  taken  pofleffion  of,  fortified, 
and  garrifoned  with  one  thoufand  men ; — as  by 
having  one  thoufand  more  at  a pod  fomewhere  in 
Elizabeth  River,  York  and  James  Rivers  would  be 
ours,  and  our  cruizers  might  command  the  waters 
of  the  Chefapeak.  Troops  might  likewife  be  fpared 
from  thefe  pods  to  carry  on  expeditions  during  the 
fummer  months,  when  probably  nothing  can  be 
rilked  in  that  climate  but  water  movements.  But 
if  the  Heights  of  York  and  thofe  on  Glouceder  fide 
cannot  be  fo  well  and  fo  foon  fortified  as  to  render 
that  pod  hors  d’infult,  before  the  enemy  can  move 
a force,  &c.  againd  it,  it  may  not  be  advifeable  to 
attempt  it:  in  that  cafe,  fomething  may  pofiibly  be 
done  at  Old  Point  Comfort  to  cover  large  fhips 
lying  in  Hampton  Road,  (which  is  reckoned  a good 
one,  and  not  fo  liable  to  injury  from  gales  at  N.  E. 
as  that  of  York,  particularly  in  winter.)  If  neither 
can  be  fecured,  we  mud  content  ourfelves  with  keep- 
ing the  Chefapeak,  with  frigates  and  other  armed 
veffels,  which  will  always  find  fecurity,  againd  a 
fuperior  naval  force,  in  Elizabeth  River.  As  our 
operations  in  proper  feafon  may  re-commence  in  the 
Upper  James,  perhaps  a dation  might  be  found  at 

the 


102 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


the  entrance  of  the  narrows  of  that  river  that  may 
be  of  ufe  in  future  day,  and  held  with  a fmall  force. 
James-town  feems  a proper  fpot  for  fuch  a ftation; 
as  does  the  place  where  the  narrows  and  windings 
begin. 

At  a proper  time  of  the  year  operations  muft  Hill 
go  northward — either  by  a diredl  movement — fta- 
tioning  your  fupplies  in  the  navigable  rivers  which 
lie  favourable  for  it — in  which  you  are,  however, 
expofed  to  a temporary  naval  fuperiority  of  the  ene- 
my— or  by  proceeding  up  the  Chefapeak,  if  a force 
equal  to  the  attempt  can  be  collefted;  (for  when  it 
can,  I fhould  propofe  to  take  a ftation,  threatening 
all  the  provinces  bordering  on  Chefapeak  with  a de- 
fultory  war;)  prevent  thofe  provinces  from  being 
fuccoured; — by  menacing  communications;  and 
availing  ourfelves  of  a fuppofed  numerous  band  of 
friends,  who  otherwife  may  be  forced  to  arm  againft 
us.  Had  we  a force  fufficient  for  two  movements, 
that  would  be  beft; — four  thoufand  men  to  proceed 
in  tranfports  up  to  Baltimore,  taking  a ftation  within 
a certain  diftance  of  the  Sufquehannah,  and  having 
veftels  always  ready  for  a rapid  move  with  part,  or 
even  the  whole,  to  a correfponding  ftation  in  the 
Eaftern  Neck;  while  a corps  of  ten  thoufand  men, 
or  more,  (according  to  the  force  that  can  be  brought 
againft  you,)  occupies  the  Eaftern  Neck,  and  can, 
in  its  turn,  fuccour  the  weftern  corps.  Whether  the 
eaftern  corps  abts  alone,  or  in  co-operation,  it  muft 

be 


Operations  in  Virginia.  103 

be  in  very  great  force  for  reafons  obvious.  I do  not 
know  enough  of  this  Neck  to  fay  what  force,  or 
whether  any,  can  be  placed  in  fecurity.  The  moft 
advanced  ftation  would  certainly  be  the  beft,  par- 
ticularly at  firft,  to  enable  our  friends,  who,  we  are 
told,  are  at  Lancafter,  Little  York-town,  and  Chef- 
ter,  to  join  us. — Iron  Hill  may  perhaps  be  it;  and 
as  marfhy  creeks  run  up  from  Delaware  and  Chefa- 
peak,  the  heads  of  which  are  not  far  afunder,  many 
good  polls  may  be  found  for  corps  of  different 
llrength; — for  while  we  command  thofe  bays,  there 
can  be  no  danger  of  operation  againll  our  flanks  and 
rear;  and  if  the  enemy  Ihould  be  fuperior  in  one, 
he  cannot  be  fo  in  both: — we  Ihould  therefore 
have  always  a communication  open.  This  corps 
Ihould  be  very  llrong  indeed, — or  there  Ihould  be 
one  afting  in  favour  of  it  in  Jerfey.  The  preference 
mull  be  given  to  that  plan,  againll  which  Walhing- 
ton  can  bring  the  leall  force.  He  undoubtedly  can 
bring  a greater  force  into  Jerfey  than  any  where,  as 
the  New-England  troops  may  be  prevailed  on  to  go 
there, — and  they  cannot  fo  eafily  be  drawn  into  the 
Eallern  Neck,  or  even  over  the  Delaware.  Belides, 
if  Walhington  moves  into  Jerfey,  his  meal  and  flour 
have  both  but  a fhort  portage;  but  once  deprived  of 
the  eallern  counties,  his  cattle  in  that  cafe  coming 
chiefly  from  New  England,  will  increafe  his  diffi- 
culty of  fubfiftence;  for  as  we  may,  under  thofe  cir- 
cumflances,  attempt  to  occupy  King’s  Ferry,  he  will 

be 


104  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

be  reduced  to  the  Detour.  I therefore  fhould  pre- 
fer a fingle  corps  in  the  Eaftern  Neck,  fufficient, 
however,  for  the  purpofe.  As  the  French  have  ad- 
ded confiderably  to  Wafhington’s  force,  I do  not 
think  an  army  lefs  than  Sir  William  Howe  had 
could  be  fufficient — fifteen  thoufand  men.  But  where 
are  they  to  be  found?  My  whole  force,  rank  and 
file,  fit  for  duty,  is  nearly  twenty-four  thoufand.  It 
is  prefumed  Lord  Cornwallis  will  be  content  with 
fix  thoufand  for  the  fouthward;  two  thoufand  we 
fuppofe  in  the  Chefapeak — twelve  thoufand  are  re- 
quired for  New  York; — there  remains  only  four 
thoufand  for  that  operation.  I did  expedl  ten  thou- 
fand men  as  an  augmentation  to  my  prefent  army. — 
Had  they  come,  this  projedl  might  have  taken  place; 
but  I am  now  told,  I am  to  expebt  only  four  thou- 
fand— which  will  not  be  fufficient. — However,  once 
convinced  that  the  French  will  not  fend  reinforce- 
ment, and  that  we  ffiall  be  permanently  fuperior  at 
fea,  and  have  an  acflive  co-operating  naval  com- 
mander,— I fhould  be  tempted  to  try: — but  until 
all  this  combines,  I dare  not: — and  if  it  is  delayed 
too  long,  our  friends  in  Pennsylvania  may  be  forced 
from  us,  or  cajoled. 

If  we  could  hold  the  Chefapeak  by  the  pofts  on 
Elizabeth  and  York  rivers,  Oxford,  and  Port  Penn, 
and  the  two  Eaftern  on  the  fea-cofts,  and  threaten 
our  enemies  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  protect 
our  friends  of  all  thefe  countries,  I think  we  fhould 

in 


Operations  in  Virginia.  105 

in  that  cafe  leave  the  French  little  to  induce  them  to 
fupport  the  war. 

'i()th  April.  Thefe  however  I give  you  merely 
as  my  opinions  at  the  time  we  talked  this  on  fub- 
jeft; — and  they  will  influence  you,  of  courfe,  no 
further,  than  as  they  correfpond  with  your  own 
now. 

With  refpedt  to  the  number  and  difpofltion  of 
friends  in  Pennfyivania,  I am  telling  you  more  what 
I wilh  than  what  I exped;  to  And;  for  we  have  been 
too  often  deceived  by  reprefentations  of  fanguine 
friends. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  VII. 

(Secret,  and  moft  private.) 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Major-general  Phillips, 
dated  New  York,  ■^oth  April,  1781. 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  at  Peteriburg.] 

Hear  Phillips, 

I CANNOT  judge  from  Lord  Cornwallis’s  letter, 
whether  he  propofes  any  further  operations  in  the 
Carolinas — what  they  may  be — and  how  far  you  can 
operate  in  his  favour.  If  I was  to  give  a private 
opinion  from  reading  his  letter — I would  fay  I can- 
not conceive  from  it  that  he  has  any  offenflve  objed 


p 


in 


io6  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

in  view.  He  fays,  that  North-Carolina  is  a country, 
in  which  it  is  impoffible  for  an  army  to  a6l  or  move 
without  the  afliftance  of  friends;  he  does  not  feem  to 
think  we  have  any  there — nor  do  you.  I fhall  give 
no  opinion  refpefting  that  at  prefent,  or  until  I re- 
ceive his  Lordfhip’s  account  of  the  ftate  of  the  pro- 
vince, and  of  his  winter  campaign. 

H is  Lordlhip  tells  me  that  he  wants  reinforce- 
ment.— With  nine  Britifh  battalions,  and  detach- 
ments from  feven  more,  (behdes  thofe  from  the 
Artillery  and  feventeenth  Dragoons) — five  Heffian 
battalions,  and  a detachment  of  Yagers — and  eleven 
Provincial  battalions,  exclufive  of  the  cavalry  and 
infantry  of  the  Legion,  and  the  Provincial  Light 
Infantry; — I would  alk, — How  can  that  be  polfible? 
And  if  it  is,  what  hopes  can  I have  of  a force  fuffi- 
cient  to  undertake  any  folid  operation? 

To  be  brief — If  his  Lordlhip  propofes  no  opera- 
tion to  you  foon,  and  you  fee  none  that  will  operate 
for  him  diredtly — (that  is,  before  the  fir  ft  of  June,) — 
I think  the  beft  indireft  one  in  his  favour  will  be, 
what  you  and  General  Arnold  propofed  to  me  in 
No.  lo  of  your  joint  letter  of  the  i8th  inftant,  be- 
ginning with  the  attempt  on  Philadelphia.  The 
only  rifk  you  run  is  from  a temporary  fuperiority 
of  the  enemy  at  fea. — Land  and  naval  reinforcements 
from  France  are  talked  of — If  they  come  immedi- 
ately from  Europe,  we  muft  have  fome  information 
of  them,  and  they  will,  I hope,  be  followed; — if  from 

the 


Operations  in  Virginia.  107 

the  Wefl-Indies,  I hope  the  fame.  It  is  however 
an  important  move,  and  ought  (in  my  opinion)  to 
be  tried,  even  with  fome  rifk.  If  our  friends  are  as 
numerous  and  hearty  as  Colonel  Rankin  reprefents 
them  to  be,  with  their  alfiftance  added  to  what  you 
carry  thither,  you  will  be  able  to  maintain  yourself. 
But  if,  after  having  given  the  experiment  a fair  trial, 
you  find  it  will  not  do;  you  may  either  retire  to 
Portfmouth,  or  by  tranfports  and  boats  in  Delaware 
pafs  to  Jerfey — where,  at  all  events,  I muft  pick  you 
up,  by  receiving  you  at,  or  near.  Mount  Holly. 
Give  me  timely  notice  of  your  intended  move,  and, 
if  polfible,  I will  follow  you  into  Delaware  with  fuch 
a fmall  reinforcement  as  I can  at  the  time  fpare. 

As  my  invitation  to  Lord  Cornwallis  to  come  to 
the  Chefapeak  was  upon  a fupposition  that  every 
thing  would  be  fettled  in  the  Carolinas,  I do  not 
think  he  will  come; — if  however,  he  determines  to 
do  fo  as  a vifitor,  he  will  get  Barklay  or  fome  other 
to  bring  him,  for  the  Admiral  has  this  day  only 
ordered  a fhip  for  the  purpofe — and  the  one  he  has 
ordered  cannot  (I  apprehend)  get  over  the  bar  of 
Cape  Fear. 

Our  Admiral  is  grown,  if  polfible,  more  imprac- 
ticable than  ever.  He  fwears  to  me  that  he  knows 
nothing  of  his  recall — to  others  he  fays,  he  is  going 
home  immediately.  If  the  next  packet  does  not 
fatisfy  me  in  this  particular,  I fhall  probably  retire, 
and  leave  him  to  Lord  Cornwallis’s  management. — 

To 


io8  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

To  whom  it  will  be  my  advice  to  try  the  only  experi- 
ment that  {in  my  opinion)  can  operate,  if  the  one  in 
Carolina  has  failed. — As  to  Virginia,  I know  none 
which  can  reduce  that  province  in  one  campaign. — 
Though  it  is  certainly  a great  exertion,  the  only  one 
that  appears  to  me  is  the  above.  If  I flay  it  lhall  be 
tried.  Without  a co-operating  naval  Chief,  the  rilk  is 
doubly  great: — it  would  be  fufficiently  fo  with  one. 
But  if  it  fucceeds,  its  confequences  mull  be  very  decifive. 

May  id.  The  reinforcement  is  embarked,  and 
fallen  down  to  Staten  Illand,  where  they  wait  only 
the  Admiral’s  pleafure  for  their  proceeding  to  Chefa- 
peak.  Two  days  ago  he  offered  to  take  them  thither 
under  the  effort  of  his  fleet — to-day  he  writes  to  me, 
“that  he  thinks  he  cannot  be  juftified  in  lofing  a 
“moment  to  proceed  off  the  Chefapeak;  but  if  I 
“think  it  of  greater  confequence  to  land  the  rein- 
“forcement  of  troops  propofed  to  be  fent  there,  than 
“to  intercept  the  enemy,  he  will  take  the  tranfports 
“with  him — otherwife,  he  lhall  certainly  leave  them 
“behind,  until  it  is  known  where  the  enemy’s  fleet  is 
“lodged,  of  which  he  will  tranfmit  the  earliefl:  infor- 
“mation  to  me,  and  then  appoint  a convoy  to  bring 
“them  on.”  Inanfwer,  I have  acknowledged  the  very 
great  importance  of  intercepting  the  French  fleet — 
but  that  it  is  alfo  of  importance  that  this  reinforce- 
ment fhould  join  you  immediately,  and  to  leave  him 
(as  being  the  befl:  judge)  the  propereft  mode  of  ac- 
complilhing  it  with  fafety. — Thus  the  matter  refts. 

May 


Operations  in  Virginia.  109 

May  2^.  As  I am  (from  the  Admiral’s  ftrange 
condud;)  doubtful  when  or  whether  the  reinforce- 
ment will  ever  join  you,  I do  not  now  fend  Colonel 
Rankin  to  you,  as  I at  firft  propofed — but  I enclofe 
his  propofals.  You  will  fee  by  them  that  he  is  not 
much  of  an  officer — but  he  appears  to  be  a plain, 
fenfible  man,  worth  attending  to — And  Simcoe  can 
explain  a thoufand  things  refpefting  him  and  his  affio- 
ciates,  which  I cannot  in  a letter.  As  you  feemed  to 
think  (before  you  received  Lord  Cornwallis’s  letter) 
that  all  diredl  operations  in  favour  of  his  Lordfhip 
would  ceafe  by  the  end  of  May;  ffiould  the  expedition 
not  fail  from  hence  before  the  20th  inft.  and  I do  not 
hear  further  from  you,  I will  not  fend  it;  for,  in  that 
cafe,  I think  the  experiment  on  the  peninfula  may  be 
tried  to  more  advantage  up  Delaware  than  round  by 
Chefapeak;  in  which  cafe  I fhall  expedt  General  Ar- 
nold and  you,  with  fuch  troops  as  you  can  fpare,  to 
meet  me  at  the  head  of  Elk  or  Bohemia,  and  form  a 
jundlion.  I can  certainly  fpare  more  troops  from 
hence  for  fuch  a move  than  I can  fend  to  Chefapeak, 
for  reafons  obvious.  Pray  let  me  receive  General 
Arnold’s  and  your  opinions  upon  Colonel  Rankin’s 
propofals  as  foon  as  poffible.  I confefs  I am  not  fan- 
guine;  but  if  the  experiment  can  be  tried  without  any 
other  rilk  than  from  the  enemy’s  fuperiority  at  fea,  I 
fhould  wifh  to  do  it.  Therefore  if  General  Arnold 
and  you  like  it,  I fhall  be  reconciled  to  it,  and  it  fhall 
be  tried,  after  I know  your  opinions  on  it,  and  the 

inclofed 


no  ' Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

inclofed  propofals — and  if  you  approve,  about  what 
time  you  think  the  attempt  may  take  place.  I am 
perfuaded,  that  on  application,  Captain  Hudfon  will 
give  you  a frigate  for  your  difpatches.  If  we  move 
up  Delaware,  Captain  Duncan,  (Lord  Howe’s  Cap- 
tain,) will  condudl  us.  I have  already  talked  to  him 
on  the  fubjed:,  and  he  approves. 

If  Lord  Cornwallis  propofes  any  thing  neceflary 
for  his  operations,  you  of  courfe  muft  adopt  it  if  you 
can,  letting  me  know  your  thoughts  thereon.  But 
ITiould  his  Lordfhip  determine  on  a defenfive  in  the 
Carolinas,  he  furely  cannot  want  any  of  the  European 
reinforcement,  and  will  of  courfe  fend  it  to  you,  and 
all  fuch  other  as  fhall  arrive.  Thus  reinforced,  if 
after  leaving  a fufficient  garrifon  in  Elizabeth  river, 
you  can  proceed  to  the  peninfula;  I think  we  fhall  be 
in  force  to  give  this  a fair  trial : and  I may  leave  you  in 
the  command  there,  unlefs  things  fhould  take  a more 
favourable  turn  in  the  Carolinas,  and  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis’s prefence  there  be  no  longer  neceffary;  for,  until 
they  do,  I fhould  imagine  he  will  not  leave  Carolina. 

You  will  think  me  long-winded.  But  as  fafe  oppor- 
tunities are  not  frequent,  I muft  make  the  beft  ufe  I 
can  of  this.  I refer  you  for  more  information  to  Lord 
Chewton,  who  is  the  bearer  of  my  difpatches. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 1 1 

NUMBER  VIII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Major-general  Phillips, 
dated  May  1 1 . 

[Received  by  Earl  Cornwallis  at  Peterfburg,  May  24.] 

DEAR  PHILLIPS, 

I was  in  hopes  that  the  fleet  would  have  failed  long 
fince,  but  although  the  Admiral  dates  his  letter  the 
loth,  off  Sandy  Hook,  I fear  he  is  ftill  within. 

Report  fays  that  the  French  had  not  failed  from 
Rhode-Ifland  a few  days  ago,  they  might,  however, 
have  failed  yefterday;  the  only  news  we  have  is  a riot 
at  Philadelphia,  and  all  paper-money  refufed  in  pay- 
ment; it  works  finely. 

No  news  from  Lord  Cornwallis  fince  his  letter  of 
the  loth  of  April. 

Wafhington  fome  days  fince  called  in  Burgoyne; 
by  a letter  from  him  this  day,  that  is  countermanded 
or  fufpended;  their  councils  feem  a little  unfettled, — 
it  is  reported  and  believed,  that  the  French  troops 
are  to  join  Wafhington,  and  are  now  on  their  route. 

I am,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

Lord  Chewton  failed  three  days  fince  for  Lord 
Cornwallis. 


N U M- 


I 12 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  IX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated  New-Tork 
June  15,  1781. 

[Received  June  26,  1781,  from  Enfign  Amiel.] 

MY  LORD, 

AS  the  Admiral  has  thought  proper  to  flop  the 
failing  of  the  convoy  with  ftores,  horfe  accoutrements, 
&c.  (which  has  been  for  fome  days  ready  to  fail  to 
the  Chefapeak)  without  affigning  to  me  any  reafon 
for  fo  doing,  I delay  not  a moment  to  difpatch  a run- 
ner to  your  Lordfhip,  with  a duplicate  of  my  letter  of 
the  I ith  inftant,  which  was  to  go  by  that  opportunity. 

And  as  I am  led  to  fuppofe  (from  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter  of  the  26th  ult.)  that  you  may  not  think  it  ex- 
pedient to  adopt  the  operations  I had  recommended 
in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  and  will  by  this  time  pro- 
bably have  finifhed  thofe  you  were  engaged  in,  I 
requeft  you  will  immediately  embark  a part  of  the 
troops  dated  in  the  letter  inclofed  (beginning  with 
the  light  infantry,  &c.)  and  fend  them  to  me  with  all 
polfible  difpatch;  for  which  purpofe  Captain  Hudfon, 
or  officer  commanding  the  King’s  fhips,  will  I pre- 
fume, upon  your  Lordfhip’s  application  appoint  a 
proper  convoy. 

I fhall  likewife  in  proper  time  folicit  the  Admiral 
to  fend  fome  more  tranfports  to  the  Chefapeak,  in 

which 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


"3 


which  your  Lordfhip  will  pleafe  to  fend  hither  the 
remaining  troops  you  judge  can  be  fpared  from  the 
defence  of  the  polls  you  may  occupy;  as  I do  not 
think  it  advifable  to  leave  more  troops  in  that  un- 
healthy climate  at  this  feafon  of  the  year  than  what 
are  abfolutely  wanted  for  a defenlive,  and  defultory 
water  excurhons. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


Duplicate  inclofed  in  Number  IX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  New-7'ork, 
June  II,  1781. 

[Received  the  26th  of  June  from  Enfign  Amiel.] 

MY  LORD, 

I am  honoured  with  your  Lordlhip’s  letter  of  the 
26th  ult.  and  as  I am  unwilling  to  detain  the  con- 
voy, I fhall  not  have  time  to  write  fo  fully  to  your 
Lordfhip  as  I would  wifh. 

Refpecfling  my  opinions  of  Rations  in  James  and 
York  rivers,  I fhall  beg  leave  only  to  refer  your 
Lordfhip  to  my  inflrublions  to,  and  correfpondence 
with.  Generals  Phillips  and  Arnold;  together  with 
the  fubftance  of  my  converfations  with  the  former; 
which  your  Lordfhip  will  have  found  amongft  General 
Q Phillips’s 


1 14  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

Phillips’s  papers,  and  to  which  I referred  you  in  my 
laft  difpatch.  I lhall,  threfore,  of  courfe,  approve  of 
any  alteration  your  Lordlhip  may  think  proper  to 
make  in  thofe  ftations. 

The  detachments  I have  made  from  this  army 
into  Chefapeak,  fince  General  Lellie’s  expedition  in 
0(5tober  laft,  incluftve,  have  amounted  to  feven  thou- 
fand  feven  hundred  and  twenty-four  effecftives;  and 
at  the  time  your  Lordlhip  made  the  jundlion  with 
the  corps  there,  there  were  under  Major-general 
Phillips’s  orders  five  thoufand  three  hundred  and 
four;  a force  I fhould  have  hoped,  would  be  fufti- 
cient  of  itfelf  to  have  carried  on  operations  in  any 
of  the  fouthern  provinces  of  America;  where,  as  ap- 
pears by  the  intercepted  letters  of  Walhington  and 
La  Fayette,  they  are  in  no  fituation  to  ftand  againft 
even  a divifion  of  that  army. 

I have  no  reafon  to  fuppofe  the  Continentals 
under  La  Fayette  can  exceed  one  thoufand;  and  I 
am  told  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Hill,  of  the  ninth 
regiment,  that  about  a fortnight  ago,  he  met  at 
Frederick-town,  the  Pennfylvania  line,  under  Wayne, 
of  about  the  fame  number,  who  were  fo  difcontented, 
that  their  officers  were  afraid  to  truft  them  with  am- 
munition. This,  however,  may  have  fince  altered; 
and  your  Lordlhip  may  polfibly  have  oppofed  to 
you,  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thoufand  Conti- 
nentals, and  (as  La  Fayette  obferves,)  a fmall  body 
of  ill  armed  peafantry,  full  as  fpiritlefs  as  the  militia 

of 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 1 5 

of  the  fouthern  provinces,  and  without  any  fer- 
vice. 

Comparing,  therefore,  the  force  now  under  your 
Lordfhip  in  the  Chefapeak,  and  that  of  the  enemy 
oppofed  to  you  (and  I think  it  clearly  appears  they 
have  for  the  prefent,  no  intention  of  fending  thither 
reinforcements,)  I fhould  have  hoped  you  would 
have  quite  fufficient  to  carry  on  any  operation  in 
Virginia;  fhould  that  have  been  advifeable  at  this 
advanced  feafon. 

By  the  intercepted  letters,  inclofed  to  your  Lord- 
fhip in  my  laft  difpatch,  you  will  obferve,  that  I am 
threatened  with  a fiege  in  this  poft.  My  prefent 
effective  force  is  only  ten  thoufand  nine  hundred  and 
thirty-one.  With  refpeft  to  that  the  enemy  may 
colled  for  fuch  an  objed,  it  is  probable  they  may 
amount  to  at  leaf!  twenty  thoufand,  befides  rein- 
forcement to  the  French,  (which,  from  pretty  good 
authority,  I have  reafon  to  exped,)  and  the  numerous 
militia  of  the  five  neighbouring  provinces.  Thus 
circumftanced,  I am  perfuaded,  your  Lordfhip  will 
be  of  opinion,  that  the  fooner  I concentrate  my 
force  the  better.  Therefore,  (unlefs  your  Lordfhip, 
after  the  receipt  of  my  letter  of  the  29th  of  May, 
and  8th  infl.  fhould  incline  to  agree  with  me  in 
opinion  and  judge  it  right  to  adopt  my  ideas  refped- 
ing  the  move  to  Baltimore  or  the  Delaware  Neck, 
&c.)  I beg  leave  to  recommend  it  to  you  as  foon  as 
you  have  finifhed  the  adive  operations  you  may  be 


now 


1 1 6 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

now  engaged  in,  to  take  a defenfive  ftation,  in  any 
healthy  fituation  you  choofe,  (be  it  at  Williamfburg 
or  York-town.)  And  I would  wifh  in  that  cafe,  that 
after  referving  to  yourfelf  fuch  troops  as  you  may 
judge  necelfary,  for  an  ample  defenfive,  and  deful- 
tory  movements  by  water,  for  the  purpofe  of  annoy- 
ing the  enemy’s  communications,  deftroying  maga- 
zines, &c.  the  following  corps  may  be  fent  to  me  in 
fucceffion  as  you  fpare  them. 

Two  battalions  of  Light  Infantry. 

Forty-third  regiment. 

Seventy-fixth  or  eightieth  regiment. 

Two  battalions  of  Anfpach. 

Queen’s  Rangers,  cavalry  and  infantry. 

Remains  of  the  detachment  of  17th  Light 
Dragoons;  and  fuch  proportion  of  Artillery 
as  can  be  fpared,  particularly  men. 

Until  the  arrival  of  the  expelled  reinforcements 
from  Europe,  it  will  be  impolfible  for  me  to  judge 
what  future  operations  may  be  within  my  power, 
under  my  prefent  circumftances.  I heartily  wifh 
I was  able  to  fpare  a fecond  army,  after  leaving  a 
fufficient  defenfive  for  this  important  poll.  But 
your  Lordfhip  will,  I hope,  excufe  me,  if  I diflent 
from  your  opinion  of  the  manner  in  which  that 
army  fhould  be  employed;  for  experience  ought  to 
convince  us,  that  there  is  no  poffibility  of  re-eftab- 
lifhing  order  in  any  rebellious  province  on  this  con- 
tinent without  the  hearty  affillance  of  numerous 

friends. 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 1 7 

friends.  Thefe,  my  Lord,  are  not,  I think,  to  be 
found  in  Virginia;  nor  dare  I pofitively  aflert,  that 
under  our  prefent  circumftances  they  are  to  be  found 
in  great  numbers  any  where  elfe,  or  that  their  ex- 
ertions when  found  will  anfwer  our  expeftations : 
but  I believe  there  is  a greater  probability  of  find- 
ing them  in  Pennfylvania  than  in  any,  except  the 
fouthern  provinces.  In  thefe  your  Lordfhip  has 
already  made  the  experiment;  it  has  there  failed — 
they  are  gone  from  us,  and  I fear  are  not  to  be 
recovered.  The  only  one  therefore  now  remaining 
is  this;  and  if  I continue  in  the  command  I am  de- 
termined to  give  it  a fair  trial,  whenever  it  can  be 
done  with  propriety:  I am  not,  however,  likely  to 
have  a choice  of  operation  at  leaf!  for  fome  time  to 
come.  Nor  can  I altogether  agree  with  your  Lord- 
fhip,  in  thinking  that  a defultory  move  againll  Phila- 
delphia would  do  more  harm  than  good.  There,  my 
Lord,  are  colledted  their  principal  depots  of  ftores 
for  the  campaign,  an  immenfe  quantity  of  European 
and  Weft-India  commodities,  and  no  inconfiderable 
fupply  of  money,  which  their  uninterrupted  trade 
and  cruifers  have  lately  procured  them;  and  from 
thefe  funds  they  are  now  forming  a bank  by  fub- 
fcription,  which,  if  it  fucceeds,  may  give  frefh  vigour 
to  their  caufe.  Could  we  therefore  at  this  moment 
feize  thofe  important  magazines,  &c.  overfet  their 
fchemes,  and  break  up  their  public  credit,  the  favour- 
able confequences  refulting  from  fuch  fuccefs  are  too 

obvious 


1 1 8 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

obvious  to  need  explanation.  And  all  this,  my 
Lord,  I have  no  doubt  might  have  been  effected  if 
our  reinforcement  had  arrived  in  time,  and  the 
enemy  had  no  profped;  of  receiving  any  without  our 
either  keeping  or  deftroying  Philadelphia;  the  latter 
of  which  is  foreign  to  my  inclination,  and  the  former 
is  certainly  at  prefent  inadvifeable. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  X. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
PVilliamJburgh,  June  1781. 

S I R, 

AFTER  pafTing  James  river, at  Weftover,  I moved 
to  Hanover  court-houfe,  and  croffed  the  South  Anna; 
the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  marched  to  his  left,  keeping 
above  at  the  diftance  of  about  twenty  miles. 

By  pufhing  my  light  troops  over  the  North  Anna, 
I alarmed  the  enemy  for  Frederickfburgh,  and  for 
the  jundlion  with  General  Wayne,  who  was  then 
marching  through  Maryland.  From  what  I could 
learn  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  Hunter’s  iron  manufac- 
tory, it  did  not  appear  of  fo  much  importance  as  the 
ftores  on  the  other  fide  of  the  country,  and  it  was 

impoflible 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


119 

impoffible  to  prevent  the  jundion  between  the  Mar- 
quis and  Wayne:  I therefore  took  advantage  of  the 
Marquis’s  paffing  the  Rhappahannock,  and  detached 
Lieutenant-colonels  Simcoe  and  Tarleton  to  difturb 
the  affembly  then  fitting  at  Charlotteville,  and  to 
deftroy  the  ftores  there,  at  Old  Albemarle  court- 
houfe,  and  the  Point  of  Fork;  moving  with  the  in- 
fantry to  the  mouth  of  Byrd  creek,  near  the  Point 
of  Fork,  to  receive  thofe  detachments.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Tarleton  took  fome  members  of  the  aflembly 
at  Charlotteville,  and  defiroyed  there  and  on  his  re- 
turn one  thoufand  ftand  of  good  arms,  fome  cloath- 
ing  and  other  Ifores,  and  between  four  and  five  hun- 
dred barrels  of  powder,  without  oppofition. 

Baron  Stuben,  who  commanded  about  eight  hun- 
dred twelvemonths-men  and  militia,  retired  with 
great  precipitation  from  the  Point  of  Fork.  Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Simcoe,  after  ufing  every  exertion  to 
attack  his  rear-guard,  defiroyed  there  and  at  places 
adjacent,  about  three  thoufand  three  hundred  fiand 
of  arms,  mofi  of  which  unferviceable,  but  then  un- 
der repair,  fome  fait,  harnefs,  &c.  and  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  barrels  of  powder.  I then  moved 
by  Richmond,  and  arrived  at  Williamfburgh  on 
the  25th  infiant,  having,  in  addition  to  the  articles 
already  mentioned,  defiroyed  on  this  expedition  at 
different  places  above  2000  hogfheads  of  tobacco, 
and  a great  number  of  iron  guns,  and  brought  off 
four  brafs  thirteen-inch  mortars,  five  brafs  eight-inch 

howitzes 


1 20  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

howitzes,  and  four  long  brafs  nine-pounders,  all 
French.  We  found  near  H anover  court-houfe  ten 
French  brafs  twenty-four  pounders,  which  we  could 
not  carry,  and  had  not  time  or  means  to  deftroy 
farther  than  fpiking,  and  throwing  five  or  fix  of 
them  into  the  Pamunkey;  and  we  found  at  Wil- 
liamfburgh  a confiderable  quantity  of  Ihot  and  fhells, 
which  are  embarked.  General  Wayne  joined  the 
Marquis  about  the  middle  of  the  month,  as  did 
Baron  Stuben  foon  after;  and  their  army  has  gene- 
rally kept  about  twenty  miles  from  us,  without  any 
material  attempt  by  detachment,  except  in  an  attack 
on  Lieutenant-colonel  Simcoe,  on  the  26th,  as  he 
was  returning  with  his  corps  and  the  yagers  from  the 
deftrubtion  of  fome  boats  and  ftores  on  the  Chicka- 
hominy.  The  enemy,  though  much  fuperior  in  num- 
bers, were  repulfed  with  confiderable  lofs,  three  offi- 
cers and  twenty-eight  privates  were  made  prifoners: 
the  Rangers  had  three  officers  and  thirty  privates 
killed  and  wounded;  Lieutenant  Jones,  who  was 
killed,  behaved  with  the  greateft  fpirit,  and  is  much 
lamented  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Simcoe. 

The  morning  after  my  arrival  here  I was  honoured 
with  your  Excellency’s  difpatches  of  the  iith  and 
15th  inflant,  delivered  by  Enfign  Amiel.  By  them 
I find,  that  you  think  if  an  offenfive  army  could  be 
fpared,  it  would  not  be  advifable  to  employ  it  in  this 
province.  It  is  natural  for  every  officer  to  turn  his 
thoughts  particularly  to  the  part  of  the  war  in  which 

he 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


I 21 


he  has  been  moft  employed;  and  as  the  fecurity  at 
leaft  of  South  Carolina,  if  not  the  reduftion  of  North 
Carolina,  feemed  to  be  generally  expedted  from  me, 
both  in  this  country  and  in  England,  I thought  my- 
felf  called  upon,  after  the  experiment  I had  made  had 
failed,  to  point  out  the  only  mode  in  my  opinion  of 
effedling  it,  and  to  declare,  that  until  Virginia  was 
to  a degree  fubjedted,  we  could  not  reduce  North 
Carolina,  or  have  any  certain  hold  of  the  back  coun- 
try of  South  Carolina;  the  want  of  navigation  ren- 
dering it  impoffible  to  maintain  a fufficient  army  in 
either  of  thofe  provinces  at  a confiderable  diftance 
from  the  coaft,  and  the  men  and  riches  of  Virginia 
furnifhing  ample  fupplies  to  the  rebel  fouthern  army. 
I will  not  fay  much  in  praife  of  the  militia  of  the 
fouthern  colonies;  but  the  lift  of  Britifh  officers  and 
foldiers  killed  and  wounded  by  them  ftnce  laft  June, 
proves  but  too  fatally  that  they  are  not  wholly  con- 
temptible. 

Your  Excellency  being  charged  with  the  weight  ot 
the  whole  American  war,  your  opinions  of  courfe  are 
lefs  partial,  and  are  diredled  to  all  its  parts;  to  thofe 
opinions  it  is  my  duty  implicitly  to  fubmit. 

Being  in  the  place  of  General  Phillips,  I thought 
myfelf  called  upon  by  you  to  give  my  opinion  with 
all  deference  on  Mr.  Alexander’s  propofals,  and  the 
attempt  upon  Philadelphia.  Having  experienced 
much  difappointment  on  that  head,  I own  I would 
cautioufly  engage  in  meafures  depending  materially 
R for 


122  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

for  their  fuccefs  on  the  aftive  affiftance  from  the  coun- 
try, and  I thought  the  attempt  on  Philadelphia  would 
do  more  harm  than  good  to  the  caufe  of  Britain;  be- 
caufe,  fuppofing  it  prafticable  to  get  pofTeflion  of 
the  town,  (which,  behdes  other  obftacles,  if  the  re- 
doubts are  kept  up,  would  not  be  eafy)  we  could 
not  hope  to  arrive  without  their  having  had  suffi- 
cient warning  of  our  approach  to  enable  them  to 
fecure  fpecie,  and  the  greateft  part  of  their  valuable 
public  ftores,  by  means  of  their  boats  and  fhipping, 
which  give  them  certain  poffeffion  of  the  river  from 
Mud  Ifland  upwards.  The  difcriminating  of  the 
owners,  and  deftroying  any  conliderable  quantity  of 
Weft  India  goods,  and  other  merchandize  difperfed 
through  a great  town,  without  burning  the  whole 
together,  would  be  a work  of  much  time  and  labour. 
Our  appearance  there,  without  an  intention  to  ftay, 
might  give  falfe  hopes  to  many  friends,  and  occafion 
their  ruin;  and  any  unlucky  accident  on  our  retreat, 
might  furniffi  matter  for  great  triumph  to  our  ene- 
mies. H owever,  my  opinion  on  that  fubjedt  is,  at 
prefent,  of  no  great  importance,  as  it  appears,  from 
your  Excellency’s  difpatches,  that,  in  the  execution 
of  thofe  ideas,  a co-operation  was  intended  from 
your  ftde,  which  now  could  not  be  depended  upon, 
from  the  uncertainty  of  the  permanency  of  our  naval 
fuperiority,  and  your  apprehenftons  of  an  intended 
ferious  attempt  upon  New  York.  I have,  therefore, 
loft  no  time  in  taking  meafures  for  complying  with 

the 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 23 

the  requifition  contained  in  your  difpatch  of  the  15th 
inftant. 

Upon  viewing  York,  I was  clearly  of  opinion, 
that  it  far  exceeds  our  power,  conhftent  with  your 
plans,  to  make  fafe  defenfive  pofts  there  and  at 
Gloucefter,  both  of  which  would  be  neceflary  for  the 
protedlion  of  fhipping. 

The  ftate  of  the  tranfports  has  not  yet  been  re- 
ported to  me,  but  I have  ordered  the  few  that  are 
at  Portfmouth  to  be  got  ready;  and  as  foon  as  I 
pafl;  James  River  (for  which  purpofe  the  boats  are 
collebting),  and  can  get  a convoy,  they  fhall  be  dif- 
patched  with  as  many  troops  as  they  will  contain, 
and  fhall  be  followed  by  others  as  faft  as  you  fend 
tranfports  to  receive  them.  When  I fee  Portf- 
mouth, I fhall  give  my  opinion  of  the  number  ot 
men  neceflary  for  its  defence,  or  of  any  other  poll: 
that  may  be  thought  more  proper.  But  as  maga- 
zines, &c.  may  be  deftroyed  by  occafional  expeditions 
from  New  York,  and  there  is  little  chance  of  being 
able  to  eftablifh  a poft  capable  of  giving  effedtual 
protection  to  fhips  of  war,  I fubmit  it  to  your  Ex- 
cellency’s confideration,  whether  it  is  worth  while  to 
hold  a fickly  defenfive  poll  in  this  Bay,  which  will 
always  be  expofed  to  a fudden  French  attack,  and, 
which  experience  has  now  fhewn,  makes  no  diverfion 
in  favour  of  the  fouthern  army. 

Tarleton  was  lucky  enough  to  intercept  an  exprefs 
with  letters  from  Greene  to  La  Fayette,  of  which  the 

inclofed 


124  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

inclofed  are  copies.  By  them  you  will  fee  Genera 
Greene’s  intention  of  coming  to  the  northward,  and 
that  part  of  the  reinforcements,  deftined  for  his  army, 
was  flopped  in  confequence  of  my  arrival  here.  As 
foon  as  it  is  evident  that  our  plan  is  nearly  defenfive 
here,  there  can  be  little  doubt  of  his  returning  to  the 
fouthward,  and  of  the  reinforcements  proceeding  to 
join  his  army. 

I ftill  continue  in  the  mofl  painful  anxiety  for  the 
htuation  of  South  Carolina.  Your  Excellency  will 
have  received  accounts  of  Lord  Rawdon’s  proceed- 
ings previous  to  his  arrival  at  Monk’s  Corner,  and 
of  his  intended  operations.  My  laft  account  from 
him  is  in  a note  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Balfour,  dated 
the  9th  infhant  at  Four  Hole  Bridge,  and  he  was  then 
in  great  hopes  of  being  in  time  to  fave  Cruger.  I 
have  ordered  Colonel  Gould  to  proceed,  as  foon  as 
convoy  could  be  procured,  with  the  nineteenth  and 
thirtieth  regiments  to  New  York,  leaving  the  third 
regiment  and  the  flank  companies  in  South  Carolina, 
till  your  pleafure  is  known.  I named  the  flank  com- 
panies, becaufe  they  might  be  diftant  at  the  time  of 
the  arrival  of  the  order,  and  as  a corps  capable  of 
exertion  is  much  wanted  on  that  fervice. 

Your  Excellency  well  knows  my  opinion  of  a 
defenflve  war  on  the  frontiers  of  South  Carolina. 
From  the  ftate  of  Lord  Rawdon’s  health,  it  is  im- 
polfible  that  he  can  remain;  for  which  reafon,  al- 
though the  command  in  that  quarter  can  only  be 

attended 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


125 


attended  with  mortification  and  difappointment,  yet, 
as  I came  to  America  with  no  other  view  than  to 
endeavour  to  be  ufeful  to  my  country,  and  as  I do 
not  think  it  poffible  to  render  any  fervice  in  a de- 
fenfive  fituation  here,  I am  willing  to  repair  to 
Charles-town  if  you  approve  of  it;  and  in  the  mean 
time,  I fhall  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  arrange 
matters  here  till  I have  your  anfwer. 

Major  Craig  reprefented  fo  ftrongly  to  Lord  Raw- 
don  his  regret  at  leaving  the  diftreffed  Loyalifts  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Wilmington,  and  his  hopes  of 
a confiderable  infurreftion  in  the  lower  part  of  North 
Carolina,  where  the  enemy  have  no  force,  that  his 
Lordlhip  gave  him  a conditional  permilfion  to  poft- 
pone  the  evacution  of  Wilmington;  but  I have  not 
yet  learned  whether  he  has  availed  himfelf  of  it. 

La  Fayette’s  continentals,  I believe,  confift  of 
about  feventeen  or  eighteen  hundred  men,  exclu- 
five  of  fome  twelvemonth’s  men,  colled:ed  by 
Steuben.  He  has  received  confiderable  reinforce- 
ments of  militia,  and  about  eight  hundred  moun- 
tain rifle-men  under  Campbell.  He  keeps  with 
his  main  body  about  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  from 
us;  his  advanced  corps  about  ten  or  twelve;  pro- 
bably with  an  intention  of  infulting  our  rear  guard 
when  we  pafs  James  River.  I hope,  however,  to 
put  that  out  of  his  power,  by  croffing  at  James  City 
Ifland;  and  if  I can  get  a favourable  opportunity  of 
ftriking  a blow  at  him  without  lofs  of  time,  I will 

certainly 


126 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


certainly  try  it.  I will  likewife  attempt  water  expe- 
ditions, if  proper  objedls  prefent  themfelves  after  my 
arrival  at  Portfmouth. 

I inclofe  a report  made  by  Lieutenant  Thomas 
Hagerly,  who  came  with  a Captain  Fleming  from 
Maryland  to  join  us  in  North  Carolina.  I feel 
moft  lincerely  for  the  fulferings  of  the  unfortunate 
Loyalifts;  but  being  of  opinion,  that  a detachment 
would  not  afford  them  fubstantial  and  permanent 
relief,  I fhall  not  venture  fuch  a ftep,  unless  your 
Excellency  fhould  think  proper  to  dired;  it. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  XL 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-Tork,  June  28,  1781.  [In  Cypher.] 

[Received  July  8,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

HAVING  for  very  effential  reafons  come  to  a 
refolution  of  endeavouring  by  a rapid  move  to  feize 
the  ftores,  &c.  collebled  at  Philadelphia,  and  after- 
wards 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


1 27 

wards  to  bring  the  troops  employed  on  that  fervice 
to  reinforce  this  poll,  I am  to  requeft,  that  if  your 
Lordfhip  has  not  already  embarked  the  reinforce- 
ment I called  for  in  my  letters  of  the  8th,  iith, 
15th,  and  19th  inftant,  and  fhould  not  be  engaged 
in  fome  very  important  move,  either  of  your  own, 
or  in  confequence  of  my  ideas  refpebling  operation 
in  the  Upper-Chefapeak,  you  will  be  pleafed,  as  foon 
as  poffible,  to  order  an  embarkation  of  the  troops 
fpecified  below,  J and  of  ftores,  &c.  &c.  dated  in  the 
enclofed  paper; — or,  in  as  full  a manner  as  your 
Lordfhip  can  with  propriety  comply; — recollecting, 
that  whatever  may  have  been  taken  too  great  a pro- 
portion of,  will  be  immediately  returned  to  you  the 
moment  the  expedition  is  over. 

As  'it  is  poffible  that  your  Lordfhip  may  have 
fent  Major-general  Leflie  to  Charles-town,  in  con- 
fequence of  what  I faid  to  you  in  my  letter  of 
the  29th  ult.  I have  thought  proper  to  appoint 
General  Robertfon  to  the  command  of  the  troops 
on  this  fervice,  which  I fhould  not  have  judged 
neceffary,  could  I have  been  certain  of  his  being 
named  by  you  to  accompany  the  troops  coming 
hither.  Should  that  have  been  the  cafe,  your  Lord- 
fhip 


X Second  battalion  of  light  infantry ; forty-third  regiment ; feventy- 
iixth  or  eightieth ; two  battalions  of  Anfpach ; Queen’s  rangers,  cavalry 
and  infantry ; and  fuch  a proportion  of  artillery  as  can  be  fpared,  par- 
ticularly men. 


128 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


Hiip  will  be  pleafed,  neverthelefs,  to  direft  him  to 
proceed  with  the  expedition. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

Inclofed  in  No.  XI. 

Liji  of  Cannon,  Stores,  &'c.  to  be  Jent  from  Virginia. 

ARTILLERY,  &C. 

Two  eight-inch  howitzes,  light. 

Two  five  and  a half-inch  ditto. 

Two  medium  brafs  twelve-pounders. 

Four  brafs  fix-pounders,  field  pieces. 

Twelve  waggons,  without  the  bodies,  for  tranfport- 
ing  boats,  &c.  &c. 

A proportion  of  carcaffes. 

VESSELS. 

The  floop  Formidable, 

Brigantine  Spitfire, 

Brigantine  Rambler, 

The  prize-fhip  Tempeft,  if  fhe  can  be  unloaded  and 
fitted  without  delaying  the  tranfports. 

As  many  horfes  as  are  neceffary  for  the  artillery  and 
waggons. 

As  many  of  the  firft  twenty-four  new  boats  as  can 
be  fpared. — Thofe  with  platforms,  to  have  can- 
non mounted  in  them,  and  compleatly  fitted, 


Operations  in  Virginia, 


1 29 

if  it  can  be  done  without  delaying  the  embarka- 
tion.— The  cannon  to  be  brought  in  the  tranf- 
ports,  and  the  boats  towed  by  them. 

Lieutenant  Sutherland,  of  the  Engineers,  with  in- 
trenching tools,  &c.  &c.  for  five  hundred  men. 


NUMBER  XIL 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,,  K.  B.  dated 
Cobham,  July  8,  1781. 

S I R, 

I WAS  this  morning  honoured  with  your  difpatch 
of  the  28th  ult.  The  troops  are  perfeflly  ready, 
and  will  proceed  to  Portfmouth  to  wait  the  arrival 
of  the  tranfports.  I will  give  immediate  orders  about 
the  artillery,  ftores,  &c. 

The  tranfports  now  at  Portfmouth  are  fufficient 
to  carry  the  light  infantry;  I had  prepared  them  to 
receive  that  corps,  and  fhould  have  fent  them  to  you 
in  a few  days,  if  your  laft  order  had  not  arrived.  In 
your  cyphered  difpatch,  the  fecond  battalion  of  light 
infantry  only  is  mentioned,  but  I conclude  that  to 
be  a miftake,  and  fhall  keep  both  ready  to  embark. 
I take  for  granted  that  General  Robertfon  will  come 
with  the  tranfports  to  take  the  command  of  the  ex- 
s pedition. 


I JO  Correspondence  relative  to  the 

pedition.  General  Leflie  is  ftill  here,  but  as  it  was 
not  my  intention  to  have  fent  him  with  the  troops 
to  New-York,  and,  as  he  will  be  the  properell;  perfon 
to  command  here  in  cafe  you  fhould  approve  of  my 
returning  to  Charles-town,  I lhall  not  fend  him  on 
the  expedition  unlefs  it  fhall  then  appear  to  be  your 
Excellency’s  defire  that  he  fhould  accompany  General 
Robertfon. 

I muft  again  take  the  liberty  of  calling  your  Ex- 
cellency’s ferious  attention  to  the  queftion  of  the 
utility  of  a defenfive  poft  in  this  country,  which 
cannot  have  the  fmallefl  influence  on  the  war  in 
Carolina,  and  which  only  gives  us  fome  acres  of  an 
unhealthy  fwamp,  and  is  for  ever  liable  to  become  a 
prey  to  a foreign  enemy,  with  a temporary  fuperiority 
at  fea.  Defultory  expeditions  in  the  Chefapeak  may 
be  undertaken  from  New-York  with  as  much  eafe 
and  more  fafety,  whenever  there  is  reafon  to  fuppofe 
that  our  naval  force  is  likely  to  be  fuperior  for  two 
or  three  months. 

The  boats  and  naval  alfiftance  having  been  fent  to 
me  by  Captain  Hudfon,  I marched  on  the  4th  from 
Williamfburgh  to  a camp  which  covered  a ford  into 
the  ifland  of  James-town.  The  Queen’s  Rangers 
palfed  the  river  that  evening.  On  the  5th,  I fent 
over  all  the  wheel  carriages,  and  on  the  6th  the  bat- 
horfes  and  baggage  of  every  kind,  intending  to  pafs 
with  the  army  on  the  yth.  About  noon  on  the  6th, 
information  was  brought  me  of  the  approach  of  the 

enemy. 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


131 

enemy,  and  about  four  in  the  afternoon  a large  body 
attacked  our  out-pofts.  Concluding  that  the  enemy 
would  not  bring  a confiderable  force  within  our  reach, 
unlefs  they  fuppofed  that  nothing  was  left  but  a rear- 
guard, I took  every  means  to  convince  them  of  mv 
weaknefs,  and  fuffered  my  piquets  to  be  infulted  and 
driven  back;  nothing,  however,  appeared  near  us  but 
riflemen  and  militia  till  near  fun-fet,  when  a body  of 
continentals  with  artillery  began  to  form  in  the  front 
of  our  camp.  I then  put  the  troops  under  arms,  and 
ordered  the  army  to  advance  in  two  lines.  The  at- 
tack was  began  by  the  firfl:  line  with  great  fpirit ; there 
being  nothing  but  militia  oppofed  to  the  light  infan- 
try, the  adlion  was  foon  over  on  the  right,  but  Lieut. 
Col.  Dundas’s  brigade,  confifting  of  the  forty-third, 
feventy-fixth,  and  eightieth  regiments,  which  formed 
the  left  wing,  meeting  the  Pennfylvania  line,  and  a 
detachment  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette’s  conti- 
nentals, with  two  flx-pounders,  a fmart  aftion  enfued 
for  fome  minutes,  when  the  enemy  gave  way  and 
abandoned  their  cannon.  The  cavalry  were  perfectly 
ready  to  purfue,  but  the  darknefs  of  the  evening  pre- 
vented my  being  able  to  make  use  of  them.  I cannot 
fufficiently  commend  the  fpirit  and  good  behaviour 
of  the  officers  and  foldiers  of  the  whole  army;  but 
the  feventy-flxth  and  eightieth  regiments,  on  whom 
the  brunt  of  the  adion  fell,  had  an  opportunity  of 
diftinguiffiing  themfelves  particularly,  and  Lieu- 
tenant-colonel  Dundas’s  condud  and  gallantry  de- 
fer ve 


132 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


ferve  the  higheft  praife.  The  force  of  the  enemy  in 
the  field  was  about  two  thoufand,  and  their  lofs,  I 
believe,  between  two  and  three  hundred.  Half  an 
hour  more  of  day-light  would  have  probably  given 
us  the  greateft  part  of  the  corps. 

I have  enclofed  a lift  of  our  killed  and  wounded. 
We  finiftied  our  paflage  yesterday,  which  has  been 
an  operation  of  great  labour  and  difficulty,  as  the 
river  is  three  miles  wide  at  this  place;  I have  great 
obligations  to  Captain  Aplin  and  the  officers  of  the 
navy  and  feamen,  for  their  great  exertions  and  atten- 
tions on  this  occafion. 

I have  not  received  the  letters  your  Excellency 
alludes  to,  of  the  29th  of  May,  or  8th  and  19th  of 
June. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  XIII. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Suffolk,  July  12,  1781. 

S I R, 

I ACKNOWLEDGED  in  my  letter  of  the  8th 
the  receipt  of  your  Excellency’s  difpatch  of  the  28th 
of  June.  I have  fince  been  honoured  with  that  of 

the 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


133 


the  I ft,  by  the  Orpheus,  and  of  the  duplicates  of 
thofe  of  the  29th  of  May,  8th  and  19th  of  June,  by 
the  Charon,  the  originals  of  which  have  mifcarried. 

I have  only  now  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that 
every  exertion  fhall  be  made  to  fit  out  the  expedition 
in  the  compleateft  manner  without  lofs  of  time,  and 
as  by  your  letter  to  General  Leflie  you  feem  to  wifh 
that  he  Ihould  accompany  it,  I have  fent  him  direc- 
tions for  that  purpofe. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  XIV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-Tork,  June  8th,  1781. 

[Received  July  12,  1781,  from  Lieut.  Col.  M‘Pherfon.] 

MY  LORD, 

I INCLOSE  to  your  Lordlhip  copies  of  fome 
intercepted  letters;  by  thefe  your  Lordfhip  will  fee 
that  we  are  threatened  with  a fiege.  The  enemy 
have  had  bad  information  refpedling  m.y  force;  it  is 
not,  however,  as  your  Lordfhip  knows,  what  it 
ought  to  be.  Your  Lordfhip  will  fee  by  Layette’s 
letter,  that  you  have  little  more  oppofed  to  you 

than 


134  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

than  his  corps  and  an  unarmed  militia;  for,  we  are 
told  here,  that  the  Pennfylvania  troops  have  revolted 
a fecond  time,  at  York-town,  Your  Lordfhip  can 
therefore  certainly  fpare  two  thoufand,  and  the  fooner 
they  come  the  better;  without  it  Ihould  be  your  in- 
tention to  adopt  my  ideas  of  a move  to  Baltimore 
or  the  Delaware  Neck,  and  put  yourfelf  in  nearer 
co-operation  with  us;  but  even  in  that  cafe  you  can 
fpare  us  fomething,  I fuppofe. 

I am  naturally  to  expebt  reinforcement  from  Eu- 
rope, but  not  having  heard  from  thence  fince  Fe- 
bruary, I can  fay  nothing  pofitive  as  to  when  it 
failed.  It  is  rumoured  here  (from  what  authority 
I cannot  learn)  that  the  three  battalions  from  Corke 
are  arrived  at  Charles-town,  and  that  your  Lordfhip 
has  ordered  them  to  Chefapeak.  Should  that  have 
been  the  cafe,  I have  by  this  opportunity  direbled 
them  not  to  difembark,  but  to  join  me  here  as  foon 
as  a convoy  can  be  obtained  for  them;  in  the  firft 
place  becaufe  I want  them,  and  in  the  next,  becaufe 
it  would  be  death  to  them  to  abl  in  Chefapeak  in 

July. 

From  all  the  letters  I have  feen,  I am  of  opinion, 
if  circumftances  of  provifions,  ftores,  &c.  turn  out 
as  they  wifh,  that  the  enemy  will  certainly  attack  this 
poft.  As  for  men,  for  fuch  an  objebt  as  this  (cir- 
cumftanced  as  they  fuppofe  it  to  be)  it  cannot  be 
doubted  that  they  can  raife  a fufficient  number.  By 
a commiffary  of  provifion’s  intercepted  letter,  he  now 

feeds 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


135 


feeds  (at  Weft-point  only)  eight  thoufand,  and  they 
are  coming  in  very  faft.  My  difpatches  for  your 
Lordfhip,  and  the  ftores,  &c.  you  fent  for,  have  been 
waiting  for  a convoy  thefe  ten  days.  I hope  it  will 
fail  immediately,  but  I difpatch  this  runner  in  the 
mean  time,  referring  your  Lordfhip  to  the  bearer. 
Lieutenant  Nairne,  for  particulars. 

I requeft  that  the  officer  commanding  at  Portf- 
mouth  may  have  pofitive  orders  to  difpatch  a runner 
once  a week  while  they  laft,  whether  he  has  any  thing 
material  to  fay  or  not.  Every  circumftance  in  the 
prefent  fituation  of  the  corps  of  this  army  is  of  con- 
fequence  to  know.  As  your  Lordfhip  is  now  fo  near, 
it  will  be  unneceflary  for  you  to  fend  your  difpatches 
immediately  to  the  Minifter:  you  will  therefore  be 
fo  good  to  fend  them  to  me  in  future. 

I am  much  in  want  of  howitzes,  &c.  I think  your 
Lordfhip  can  fpare  fome;  if  so,  I requeft  they  may 
be  fent,  and  a good  proportion  of  artillery  men  with 
them.  Captain  Page  of  the  Artillery,  and  Lieutenant 
Sutherland  of  the  Engineers  are  to  return  here,  as  I 
particularly  want  them;  and  Lieutenant  Fyers,  if 
your  Eordfhip  can  poflibly  fpare  him.  I likewlfe 
requeft  that  your  Lordfhip  will  fend  General  Arnold 
to  me. 

I fend  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Macpherfon  a com- 
miflion  for  Colonel  Abercrombie  to  ad;  as  Brigadier- 
general  until  further  orders;  but  I fear  it  will  not  be 
in  my  power  to  eftablifh  him  in  that  rank,  as  I un- 

derftand 


136 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


derftand  there  are  fix  older  than  him  coming  out. 
The  commiffion  will  therefore  be  delivered  to  your 
Lordlhip,  to  ufe  or  not  as  you  may  fee  expedient. 
But  at  all  events  I imagine  your  Lordlhip  will  not 
think  it  necelfary  to  give  the  commiffion  to  Colonel 
Abercrombie,  whilft  Major-general  Lellie,  or  Briga- 
dier-general Arnold,  remain  with  you. 

I am  perfuaded  that  I need  not  fay  to  your  Lord- 
lhip how  necelfary  it  is  that  I Ihould  be  informed 
without  delay  of  every  change  of  pofition  in  your 
Lordlhip’s  army;  and  I am  fure  you  will  excufe  me 
for  obferving  that  had  it  been  polfible  upon  the  ar- 
rival of  the  lall  reinforcement  from  hence  (which  I 
am  told  joined  you  the  day  after  the  date  of  your 
letter  of  the  20th  ult.)  for  your  Lordlhip  to  have  let 
me  know  your  views  and  intentions,  I Ihould  not 
now  be  at  a lofs  to  judge  of  the  force  you  might 
want  for  your  operations.  Ignorant  therefore  as  I 
am  of  them,  I can  only  truft,  that  as  your  Lordlhip 
will  fee  by  the  inclofed  letters,  my  call  for  a reinforce- 
ment is  not  a wanton  one,  you  will  fend  me  what  you 
can  fpare  as  foon  as  it  may  be  expedient;  for  Ihould 
your  Lordlhip  be  engaged  in  a move  of  fuch  import- 
ance as  to  require  the  employment  of  your  whole 
force,  I would  by  no  means  wilh  to  fiarve  or  obftrudt 
it;  but  in  that  cafe  would  rather  endeavour  to  wait  a 
little  longer,  until  my  occafions  grow  more  urgent, 
or  your  fituation  can  admit  of  your  detaching;  of 
which,  however,  I requeft  to  be  informed  with  all 

polfible 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


137 


poffible  difpatch.  But  with  refpeil  to  the  European 
reinforcement,  I muft  requeft,  that  fhould  it  arrive 
in  the  Chefapeak,  it  may  be  fent  to  me  without  de- 
lay, agreeable  to  the  orders  I have  fent  to  the  officer 
commanding  at  Portfmouth,  and  the  requifition  I 
make  by  this  opportunity  to  Captain  Hudfon,  or 
officer  commanding  the  King’s  ffiips. 

Should  your  Lordlhip  not  propofe  to  fend  Major- 
general  Leflie  to  command  in  South  Carolina,  I beg 
leave  to  mention  that  his  affiftance  may  probably  be 
wanted  here,  if  he  can  be  fpared  from  your  army. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  XV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  at 
New-Tork.,  ic^th  of  June^  1781. 

[Received  July  12,  1781,  from  Lieut.  Col.  M‘Pherfon.] 

MY  LORD, 

THE  intercepted  letters,  which  I had  the  honour 
to  tranfmit  to  your  Lordffiip  with  my  difpatch  of 
the  8th  inft.  will  have  informed  you,  that  the  French 
Admiral  meant  to  efcape  with  his  fleet  to  Bofton, 
T from 


ijS  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

from  Rhode  Ifland;  (from  whence  it  is  probable  they 
failed  the  15th  inft.  the  wind  being  then  fair;)  and 
that  it  was  propofed  the  French  army  fhould  after- 
wards join  fuch  troops  as  Mr.  Wafhington  could 
aflemble,  for  the  purpofe  of  making  an  attempt  on 
this  poll. 

I have  often  given  it  as  my  opinion  to  your  Lord- 
fhip,  that  for  fuch  an  objebt  as  this,  they  certainly 
could  raife  numbers;  but  I very  much  doubt  their 
being  able  to  feed  them.  I am,  however,  perfuaded, 
they  will  attempt  the  inveftiture  of  the  place.  I 
therefore  heartily  wifh  I was  more  in  force,  that  I 
might  be  able  to  take  advantage  of  any  falfe  move- 
ment they  may  make  in  forming  it. 

Should  your  Lordfhip  have  any  folid  operation  in 
the  Chefapeak  to  propofe,  or  have  approved  of  the 
one  I mentioned  in  my  former  letters,  I fhall  not, 
as  I have  already  told  you,  prefs  you  for  the  corps  I 
wifhed  to  have  fent  me,  at  leaft  for  the  prefent.  But 
if,  in  the  approaching  inclement  feafon,  your  Lord- 
fhip fhould  not  think  it  prudent  to  undertake  ope- 
rations with  the  troops  you  have,  (and  you  may  eafdy 
conceive  I cannot  poffibly  fpare  more,)  I cannot  but 
wifh  for  their  fake,  if  I had  no  other  motive,  that  you 
would  fend  me  as  foon  as  poffible  what  you  can  fpare 
from  a refpedable  defenfive.  And  that  your  Lordfhip 
may  better  judge  what  I mean  by  a rejpehlable  defend  ve, 
it  is  neceflary  to  inform  you,  that  other  intelligence, 
beddes  Mondeur  Barras’  letter,  makes  it  highly  pro- 
bable. 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


139 

bable,  that  Monfieur  de  Grafle,  will  vifit  this  coaft  in 
the  hurricane  feafon,  and  bring  with  him  troops  as 
well  as  fhips.  But,  when  he  hears  that  your  Lordfhip 
has  taken  pofleffion  of  York  river  before  him,  I think 
it  moft  likely  he  will  come  to  Rhode  Ifland;  and,  in 
that  cafe,  that  their  firft  efforts  will  be  in  this  quarter. 
I am,  however,  under  no  great  apprehenfions,  as  Sir 
George  Rodney  feems  to  have  the  fame  fufpicions  of 
De  Graffe’s  intention  that  we  have,  and  will  of  courfe 
follow  him  hither.  For  I think  our  fituation  cannot 
become  very  critical,  unlefs  the  enemy  by  having  the 
command  of  the  Sound,  fhould  poffefs  themfelves  of 
Long  Ifland;  which  can  never  be  the  cafe,  whilft  we 
are  fuperior  at  fea. 

What  I faid  to  your  Lordfhip  in  my  letter  of  the 
8th  inft.  refpefting  the  reinforcement  from  England, 
was  only  occahoned  by  a report  prevailing  here,  that 
you  had  ordered  them  from  Charles-town  to  the 
Chefapeak.  But  as  it  is  now  probable  there  is  no 
real  foundation  for  the  report,  it  is  unneceffary  to 
trouble  your  Lordfhip  again  on  the  fubjecd,  as  they 
will  of  courfe  remain  in  South  Carolina,  fhould  they 
arrive  there.  In  the  hope  that  your  Lordfhip  will  be 
able  to  fpare  me  three  thoufand  men,  I have  fent  two 
thoufand  tons  of  tranfports  from  hence;  and  what  is 
wanting  may  be  made  up  from  thofe  in  Chefapeak. 
The  corps  I named  in  my  letter  of  the  iith,  will,  I 
imagine,  amount  to  nearly  that  number.  But  fhould 
your  Lordfhip  not  be  able  to  fpare  the  whole,  it  is 

neceflary 


140 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


neceflary  to  mention,  that  1 expeft  the  detachment  of 
the  feventeenth  dragoons,  as  they  happened  to  be 
placed  laft  in  the  lift.  I likewlfe  requeft,  your  Lord- 
ftiip  will  at  the  fame  time  fend  me  the  twenty-four 
boats  built  by  General  Arnold,  if  you  fhould  have 
no  particular  call  for  them;  as  they  will  be  ufeful 
here,  and  it  Is  probable  the  ten,  (which  I underftand 
are  now  building  in  the  Chefapeak,)  will  be  fufftcient 
for  your  Lordlhip’s  purpofes.  But  as  your  Lordflilp 
will  be  the  beft  judge  of  this,  you  will  fend,  them  or 
not,  as  you  pleafe. 

I have  at  laft  had  a perfonal  conference  with  the 
Vice-admiral;  and  he  has  agreed,  if  he  does  not  in- 
tercept the  French  fleet,  to  take  his  ftation  between 
the  Nantucket  Shoals  and  Delaware,  where  his  fleet 
is  to  cruife  for  the  protecftion  of  this  harbour,  and 
our  communication  with  the  Chefapeak. 


I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


141 


NUMBER  XVI. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis.,  dated 
New  York,  July  iji,  1781. 

[Received  July  12,  1781,  by  the  Orpheus.] 

MY  LORD, 

FOR  reafons  which  I think  it  unnecelTary  to 
mention  to  you  by  this  opportunity,  I requeft,  that 
whatever  troops,  &c.  your  Lordfhip  may  have  em- 
barked for  this  place,  may  fail  forty-eight  hours  after 
the  departure  from  the  Chefapeak  of  the  frigate  which 
carries  this  letter,  and  which  has  orders  to  return 
whenever  your  Lordlhip  lignifies  to  the  Captain  of 
her,  that  the  troops,  &c.  are  all  on  board,  and  ready 
to  proceed  on  the  intended  fervice. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER 


142 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  XVII. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Suffolk,  \~jth  July,  1781. 

S I R, 

I AM  glad  to  hear  from  Portfmouth  that  the 
expedition  is  almoft  ready  to  fail;  and  having  given 
General  Leflie  full  powers  relating  to  the  equipment 
of  it,  I hope  it  will  be  to  your  fatisfabtion.  I have 
detained  fix  infantry  boats  and  four  horfe  boats  for 
the  fervice  here,  and  have  direfted  all  the  others  to 
go,  if  they  can  be  carried.  The  twenty-third  Light 
Company  has  done  duty  for  fome  time  paft  with  the 
Legion,  which  is  not  yet  returned  from  an  excurhon 
to  the  upper  part  of  the  country;  I have,  therefore, 
in  place  of  the  twenty-third,  fent  the  Light  Companv 
of  the  eightieth. 

The  enemy’s  army  having  come  fo  low  down  the 
country,  and  we  having,  by  the  deftrublion  of  their 
craft,  rendered  it  difficult  for  them  to  pafs  James 
river  below  Tuckahoe,  and  the  militia  of  the  upper 
counties  of  this  fide  of  the  river  being  with  them,  I 
thought  it  a good  opportunity  to  endeavour  to  deftroy 
the  magazines  between  James  river  and  the  Dan  that 
are  deftined  for  the  ufe  of  their  fouthern  army.  I ac- 
cordingly detached  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton  with 
the  Legion  cavalry,  and  fomething  upwards  of  one 

hundred 


Operations  in  Virginia.  143 

hundred  mounted  infantry,  on  the  9th  inftant,  from 
Cobham,  with  orders  to  call,  among  other  places,  at 
Prince  Edward  and  Bedford  court  houfes,  where  I 
was  informed  their  principal  military  ftores  had  been 
collefted.  This  will  be  a fatiguing  expedition;  but 
I fhall  be  able  to  give  them  reft  upon  their  return,  as 
I fee  little  appearance  of  cavalry  being  much  wanted 
in  this  quarter  for  fome  time  to  come.  In  the  mean 
time  I fhall  remain  at,  or  near,  this  place  till  he  comes 
back,  which  I hope  will  be  in  a few  days.  I have  de- 
tached Lieutenant-colonel  Dundas  with  part  of  the 
eightieth,  to  deftroy  the  fhipping  and  ftores  at  South 
Quay;  and,  if  poflible,  I fhall  fend  a detachment  to 
Edenton  for  the  fame  purpofe,  before  I fall  back  to 
Portfmouth. 

Colonel  Gould  has  not  received  my  order  for  fen- 
ding two  of  the  late-arrived  regiments  to  New-York, 
the  exprefs  veflel  with  my  difpatches  having  been 
taken  by  a rebel  privateer.  And  as  it  appears  by 
your  Excellency’s  difpatch  to  me  of  the  19th  of  June, 
that  you  approve  of  the  three  regiments  remaining 
in  South  Carolina,  I have  notified  this  to  Colonel 
Gould  by  the  Amphitrite,  which  retook  the  exprefs 
veflel,  and  called  here  two  days  ago,  in  her  way  to 
Charles-town. 

The  variety  of  fatiguing  fervices  for  which  pio- 
neers are  conftantly  wanted,  obliged  me  to  augment 
the  detachment  with  this  army  to  a company  of  fifty 
men,  and  I appointed  Lieutenant  Brown  of  that 

corps 


144 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


corps  Captain;  and  Mr.  Jackfon,  a North-Carolina 
refugee,  Lieutenant.  Mr.  Brown  is  an  old  officer 
of  pioneers,  and  in  his  own  line  a man  of  uncommon 
merit. 

The  officers  of  the  guards  having  repeatedly  re- 
prefented  the  very  fuperior  merit  of  Mr.  Ruffi,  their 
furgeon,  and  his  unwearied  and  Ikilful  attention  to 
their  numerous  fick  and  wounded,  I think  it  right 
to  mention  him  to  your  Excellency,  as  a man  highly 
worthy  of  a mark  of  favour. 

I received  your  Excellency’s  letter,  with  the  inclo- 
fures  relating  to  the  tranfports  intended  to  be  fent 
home  by  the  Agent  and  Lieutenant-colonel  Balfour. 
The  refolution  of  fending  all  had  been  adopted  after 
I left  South  Carolina,  in  confequence  of  the  Minif- 
ter’s  Circular  Letter,  and  which,  if  executed,  I ffiould, 
no  doubt,  have  difapproved  of,  being  entirely  of 
opinion  with  your  Excellency,  that  it  is  with  you  to 
decide  whether  ferviceable  tranfports  can  be  fpared. 
But  I am  happy  to  find  that  Lieutenant-colonel  Bal- 
four returned  to  his  firft  refolution,  which  I approved 
of,  only  difpatching  victuallers  and  unferviceable 
tranfports,  and  which  I hope  before  now  has  been 
explained  to  your  Excellency’s  fatisfaction. 

It  gave  me  great  pleafure  to  learn  from  a Charles- 
town paper,  lately  brought  in  here,  that  General 
Greene  had  raifed  the  fiege  of  Ninety-fix,  after  having 
been  repulfed  in  an  attempt  to  carry  it  by  affault,  and 
that  Lord  Rawdon  had  arrived  there  on  the  20th  ult. 

I have 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


145 


I have  likewife  been  informed  in  this  country  that 
Greene  was  on  his  march  on  the  24th  ult.  towards 
Broad  river. 


I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  XVIII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated  Head- 
barters,  New-Tork,  July  i\th,  1781. 

[In  Cyph  er.] 

[Received  from  Brig.  Maj.  Bowes,  July  20th,  at  i A.M.] 

MY  LORD, 

I HAVE  received  your  Lordfhip’s  letter  of  the 
30th  of  June,  and  the  Admiral  has  difpatched  a fri- 
gate with  his  and  my  opinions  in  anfwer  to  it.  I 
cannot  be  more  explicit  by  this  opportunity  than  to 
defire,  that  if  you  have  not  already  pafled  the  James 
river,  you  will  continue  on  the  Williamfburgh  Neck, 
until  Ihe  arrives  with  my  difpatches  by  Captain  Sta- 
pleton. If  you  have  pafled,  and  find  it  expedient 
to  recover  that  ftation,  you  will  pleafe  to  do  it,  and 
keep  polTeflion  until  you  hear  further  from  me. 
Whatever  troops  may  have  been  embarked  by  you 
for  this  place,  are  likewife  to  remain  until  further 
u orders; 


146 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


orders;  and  if  they  fhould  have  been  failed,  and 
within  your  call,  you  will  be  pleafed  to  flop  them. 
It  is  the  Admiral’s  and  my  wifh,  at  all  events  to  hold 
Old  Point  Comfort,  which  fecures  Hampton  road. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  XIX. 

Sir  Henry-  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated 
New-Tork,  July  15,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

UNTIL  I had  the  honour  to  receive  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  letter  of  the  8th  inftant,  I had  flattered  myfelf, 
that  upon  re-confidering  the  general  purport  of  our 
correfpondence,  and  General  Phillips’s  papers  in  your 
polTeflion,  you  would  at  leafl:  have  waited  for  a line 
from  me  in  anfwer  to  your  letter  of  the  30th  ult.  be- 
fore you  finally  determined  upon  fo  ferious  and  mor- 
tifying a move  as  the  re-paffing  James  river,  and  re- 
tiring with  your  army  to  Portfmouth.  And  I was 
the  more  induced  to  hope  that  this  would  have  been 
the  cafe,  as  we  both  feemed  to  agree  in  our  opinion 
of  the  propriety  of  taking  a healthy  ftation  on  the 
Neck,  between  York  and  James  rivers,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  covering  a proper  harbour  for  our  line-of- 
battle  fhips.  And  I am  perfuaded  your  Lordlhip 

will 


Operations  in  Virginia.  147 

will  be  fenfible,  that  in  all  my  letters  I clearly  leave 
you  at  full  liberty  to  detain  any  part,  or  even  the 
whole  of  the  troops  I folicited  you  to  fend  me,  Ihould 
your  Lordlhiip  have  determined  on  any  folid  opera- 
tion of  your  own  in  Virginia,  or  elfewhere;  or  fhould 
you  have  adopted  the  one  I had  recommended  in  the 
Upper  Chefapeak;  or  even  Ihould  you  have  judged 
their  continuance  with  you  neceffary  until  the  ftations 
you  might  think  proper  to  take  were  rendered  re- 
fpedlably  defenfive. 

Your  letter  of  the  30th  ult.  in  which  your  Lord- 
fhip  was  pleafed  to  intimate  this  intention,  did  not 
leave  the  Chefapeak  before  the  5th  inftant:  and  as 
foon  as  I confulted  the  Admiral  at  the  Hook  upon  its 
contents,  I loft  no  time  in  difpatching  my  anfwer  to 
your  Lordftiip,  both  by  a fhip  of  war  and  one  of  my 
runners;  but  as  I now  find  your  Lordftiip  has  de- 
cided, I lhall  fay  no  more  upon  the  fubject;  and  I 
fincerely  congratulate  you  upon  the  fuccefs  of  your 
well  concerted  plan  againft  the  Marquis  de  la  Fay- 
ette, hoping  that  amongft  other  good  effeds  which 
may  be  expeded  from  it,  it  will  prevent  his  giving 
you  difturbance  in  the  execution  of  what  I recom- 
mended to  your  Lordfhip  in  my  letter  of  the  iith 
inftant,  a duplicate  of  which  accompanies  this.  I 
likewife  requeft  your  Lordfhip  will  be  pleafed  to 
communicate  to  Lieutenant-colonels  Dundas,  Simcoe, 
and  Tarleton  (whom  you  have  particularifed,  the  firft 
for  his  condud  and  gallantry  in  the  adion  of  James- 


town, 


148 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


town,  and  the  two  others  for  their  adive  fervices  on 
your  march  through  Virginia)  and  to  all  the  other 
officers  and  foldiers  under  your  command,  the  high 
fenfe  I have  of  their  fpirit  and  good  behaviour,  for 
which  I defire  their  acceptance  of  my  thanks. 

As  your  Lordffiip  is  again  pleafed  to  recall  my 
ferious  attention  to  the  queftion  of  the  utility  of  a 
defenfive  poll  in  Virginia,  which  you  fay  cannot  have 
the  fmallefl:  influence  on  the  war  in  Carolina,  and 
which  only  gives  us  fome  acres  of  an  unhealthy  fwamp, 
I mufl:  in  anfwer  beg  leave  again  to  repeat  to  your 
Lordffiip,  that  it  never  was  my  intention  to  continue 
a poll  on  Elizabeth  river  any  longer  than  until  the 
commencement  of  folid  operation  in  the  Chefapeak, 
nor  to  have  there  more  troops  than  what  might  be 
capable  of  defending  a fmall  work  on  that  river;  and 
that  all  the  general  officers  who  have  commanded  in 
the  Chefapeak  have  had  my  confent  to  change  that 
ftation  for  one  more  healthy,  if  they  judged  it  proper 
to  do  fo.  To  which  I will  moreover  add,  it  ever  has 
been,  is,  and  ever  will  be,  my  firm  and  unalterable 
opinion,  that  it  is  of  the  firfl:  confequence  to  his 
Majefty’s  affairs  on  this  continent,  that  we  take  pof- 
feffion  of  the  Chefapeak,  and  that  we  do  not  after- 
wards relinquiffi  it.  I beg  leave  alfo,  my  Lord,  to 
dilfent  from  the  opinion  you  have  given  me  of  a de- 
fenfive poll  in  Chefapeak,  and  that  defultory  expedi- 
tions there  may  be  undertaken  from  New-York  with 
as  much  eafe  and  more  fafety;  for  I cannot  but  fup- 

pofe. 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


149 


pofe,  that  a defenfive  ftation  in  the  Chefapeak,  with  a 
corps  of  at  leaf!:  four  thoufand  regular  troops,  for  its 
protedlion  and  defultory  water  movements  during  the 
fummer  months,  wherein  land  operation  may  be  im- 
pradicable,  would  have  the  moft  beneficial  effedls  on 
more  diftant  diftridts,  for  the  reafons  I have  already 
had  the  honour  to  give  your  Lordfhip.  Nor  do  I re- 
coiled, that  in  any  of  my  letters  to  your  Lordfhip  I 
have  fuggefted  an  idea,  that  there  was  a probability 
of  the  enemy’s  having  a naval  fuperiority  in  thefe  feas 
for  any  length  of  time,  much  lefs  for  fo  long  a one  as 
two  or  three  months.  But  with  refped  to  the  un- 
healthinefs  of  the  ftation  at  Portfmouth,  my  letters 
to  General  Phillips  on  that  fubjed,  (wherein  I fay, 
God  forbid  I fhould  wifh  to  bury  the  elite  of  my  army 
in  Nanfemond  and  Princefs  Anne)  will  fatisfy  your 
Lordfhip  that  we  are  both  of  one  opinion. 

With  regard  to  your  Lordfhip’s  returning  to 
Charles-town,  for  which  you  fay  you  wait  my  ap- 
probation, though  I allow  your  Lordfhip  to  be  the 
belt  judge  where  your  prefence  may  be  moft  required, 
yet,  as  I cannot  conceive  that  offenfive  operation  will 
be  carried  on  in  Carolina  for  fome  months,  I muft 
beg  leave  to  recommend  it  to  you  to  remain  in  Chefa- 
peak, at  leaft  until  the  ftations  I have  propofed  are 
occupied  and  eftablifhed,  and  your  Lordfhip  favours 
me  with  your  opinion  of  the  number  of  men  you  can 
afterwards  fpare  from  their  defence  until  the  firfi;  week 
in  Odober;  about  which  time  it  is  my  intention,  as  I 

have 


150  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

have  before  told  your  Lordfhip,  to  recommence  ope- 
ration in  the  Chefapeak:  but  whether  in  Virginia, 
according  to  your  Lordlhip’s  plan,  or  in  the  Upper 
Chefapeak,  according  to  my  own,  I fhall  then  deter- 
mine. If  in  the  firft,  I fhall  requeft  the  favour  of 
your  Lordfhip  to  condu6l  it,  as  you  muft  be  a better 
judge  than  I can,  from  the  local  knowledge  you  have 
acquired  in  your  march  through  great  part  of  the 
country,  and  your  being  from  thence  capable  of  judg- 
ing how  far  it  is  connected  with  the  fouthern  provinces. 
If  in  the  lafl,  I fhall  probably  affume  the  diredlion  of 
it  myfelf;  and  I fhall  in  that  cafe  be  glad  to  have  your 
Lordfhip’s  affiftance:  but  if  you  Ihould  prefer  return- 
ing to  Carolina,  I fhall  after  that  no  longer  reftrain 
your  Lordfhip  from  following  your  inclinations. 

Now,  my  Lord,  I have  only  to  repeat,  what  I have 
already  faid  in  all  my  letters,  that  you  are  at  full 
liberty  to  employ  all  the  troops  under  your  imme- 
diate command  in  the  Chefapeak,  if  you  are  of  opinion 
they  may  be  wanted  for  the  defence  of  the  ftations 
you  fhall  think  proper  to  occupy,  fecuring  to  us  at 
leaf!  a healthy  one,  from  whence  we  may  flart  at  the 
proper  time  for  beginning  operation,  and  for  the  car- 
rying on  in  the  interim  fuch  defultory  water  expedi- 
tions as  you  may  think  of  any  utility.  I fhould,  in- 
deed, have  hoped,  that  even  in  the  feafon  for  ablive 
operation,  feven  thoufand  men  would  have  been  quite 
fufficient,  confidering  the  force  which  the  enemy  can 
bring  againfl  you;  in  this,  however,  your  Lordfhip 

feems 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 5 1 

feems  to  think  diflFerently.  Should  nothing,  there- 
fore, happen  to  induce  you  to  alter  your  opinion,  or 
Ihould  any  objedl:  call  up  of  importance  enough  to  be 
undertaken  at  this  inclement  feafon,  you  are  at  liberty 
to  keep  the  whole.  But  before  you  finally  decide,  I 
requefi:  your  Lordfhip  will  recolledt  the  very  bare  de- 
fenfive  I am  reduced  to  in  this  poll;  whilft  I have 
oppofed  to  me  Walhington’s  army,  which  is  already 
eight  or  ten  thoufand  men,  the  French  four  thoufand, 
befides  the  large  reinforcements  expelled  to  them; 
and  I fcarce  need  mention  to  your  Lordfhip,  who  is 
fo  well  acquainted  with  their  difpofition,  the  effecfl 
which  fuch  an  appearance  will  have  on  the  numerous 
and  warlike  militia  of  the  five  neighbouring  provinces. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


152 


NUMBER  XX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-Tork,  July  26,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I HAD  the  honour  to  receive  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter,  of  the  17th  inftant,  by  Major  Darner,  who 
arrived  here  the  22d,  and  as  it  is  pofTible  that  my 
difpatches  of  the  iith  may  not  have  reached  you 
before  the  troops  under  General  Leflie  failed  from 
Portfmouth,  and  left  any  change  of  arrangement  your 
Lordftiip  may  have  judged  proper  in  confequence 
may  be  thereby  prevented,  I immediately  difpatched 
a runner  to  cruize  for  the  fleet  off  the  Delaware,  with 
orders  for  the  troops,  in  that  cafe,  to  return  imme- 
diately to  you,  and  wait  your  further  commands;  but 
if  you  had  received  my  letters  by  Captain  Stapleton 
before  they  failed,  and  had,  notwithstanding,  diredled 
them  to  proceed  according  to  their  original  deftina- 
tion,  they  are  ordered  to  come  to  the  Hook  to  re 
ceive  mine. 

What  I faid  to  your  Lordfhip  in  my  letter  of  the 
19th  inftant,  refpefting  the  continuance  of  the  three 
European  regiments  in  Carolina,  was  only  on  a fup- 
pofition  that  your  Lordfliip  thought  they  would  be 
wanted  there;  but  as  that  appears  not  to  be  the  cafe, 

from 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 53 

from  your  having  ordered  two  of  them  to  join  me,  if 
you  fhould  ftill  be  of  opinion,  that  they  can  be  fpared 
during  the  inactive  fummer  months,  I hope  your 
Lordfhip  will  think  proper  to  renew  your  order  for 
their  coming  here,  as  I fhall  probably  want  them,  as 
well  as  the  troops  you  may  be  able  to  fpare  me  from 
the  Chefapeak,  for  fuch  offenlive  or  defenhve  opera- 
tions as  may  offer  in  this  quarter,  until  the  feafon 
will  admit  of  their  afting  in  yours,  where  I propofe 
collefting,  in  the  beginning  of  Ocflober,  all  the  force 
which  can  be  fpared  from  the  different  polls  under 
my  command.  But  if  your  Lordfhip  wifhes  that 
Brigadier  General  Gould  fhould  command  in  Caro- 
lina upon  the  departure  of  Lord  Rawdon,  I fhall  have 
no  objedlion  to  his  remaining  behind  for  that  purpofe. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  XXL 

Rarl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K.  B.  dated  Tork- 
Town,  Virginia,  10th  Augujl,  1781* 

S I R, 

I HAVE  been  honoured  with  your  Excellency’s 
difpatches  of  the  15th  and  26th  ult. 

V I beg 


1 54  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

I beg  leave  to  affure  your  Excellency,  that  before 
I refolved  to  pafs  James  River  to  enable  me  to  com- 
ply with  your  requifition  of  troops,  I had  very  ma- 
turely confidered  the  general  tenor  of  your  difpatches 
to  General  Phillips,  as  well  as  thofe  to  me  of  the 
iith  and  15th  of  June,  delivered  on  the  26th,  by 
Enfign  Amiel;  and  when  I decided  upon  that  mea- 
fure,  I fufficiently  felt  how  mortifying  it  was  to  me, 
perfonally,  and  how  much  the  reputation  of  his  Ma- 
jefty’s  arms  would  fuffer  by  it  in  this  province. 

But  your  Excellency  was  pleafed  to  give  me  to 
underftand,  in  your  difpatch  of  the  iith,  that  you 
wifhed  to  concentrate  your  force,  being  threatened 
with  an  attack  at  New  York  by  General  Walhing- 
ton  with  twenty  thoufand  men  at  lead,  belides  an 
expedled  French  reinforcement,  and  the  numerous 
militia  of  the  five  neighbouring  provinces;  and,  in 
your  difpatch  of  the  15th,  fuppofing  that  I had  not 
thought  it  expedient  to  engage  in  operations  in  the 
Upper  Chefapeak,  and  that  thofe  I had  undertaken 
in  this  province  would  be  finifhed,  you  require  that 
part  of  the  troops,  mentioned  in  a lift  contained  in 
the  former  difpatch,  fhould  be  embarked  to  be  fent 
to  New  York  with  all  poflible  difpatch;  notifying 
to  me,  at  the  fame  time,  that  you  would,  in  proper 
time,  folicit  the  Admiral  to  fend  more  tranfports  to 
the  Chefapeak;  in  which  you  defired  that  I would 
fend  the  remaining  troops  that  I judged  could  be 
fpared  from  the  defence  of  the  pofts  that  I might 

occupy 


Operations  in  Virginia.  155 

occupy,  as  you  did  not  think  it  advifeable  to  leave 
more  troops  in  this  unhealthy  climate,  at  this  feafon 
of  the  year,  than  what  were  abfolutely  wanted  for  a 
defenhve,  and  defultory  water  excurfions. 

My  own  operations  being  finilhed,  and  being  of 
opinion,  that,  with  the  force  under  my  command, 
and  circum danced  as  I was,  in  a variety  of  refped:s, 
it  would  have  been  highly  inconfiderate  in  me,  and 
dangerous  for  the  King’s  fervice,  to  engage  in  ope- 
rations in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  I thought  it  incum- 
bent upon  me  to  take  elfedlual  meafures  to  enable 
me  to  obey  fo  explicit  an  order  without  lofs  of  time. 
To  this  end,  as  I could  not  difcover  in  your  inftruc- 
tions  to  General  Phillips,  or  in  your  paper  contain- 
ing the  fubftance  of  private  converfations  with  him, 
or  in  your  difpatches  to  me,  any  earneftnefs  for  im- 
mediately fecuring  a harbour  for  line  of  battle  fhips, 
I thought  myfelf  under  the  neceffity  of  being  con- 
tented with  the  pod  at  Portfmouth,  fuch  as  it  was; 
for  I did  not  imagine  myfelf  at  liberty  to  exercife 
my  difcretionary  power,  by  changing  that  pod  for 
another,  which  I knew  would  have  required  fo  great 
a part  of  the  troops  under  my  command  for  many 
weeks,  for  the  purpofes  of  covering,  fubfiding,  and 
fortifying  it,  that  any  olfendve  or  defendve  plans  ot 
yours,  which  depended  upon  material  reinforce- 
ment from  hence,  might  thereby  have  been  totally 
frudrated. 


My 


156  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

My  refolution  to  pafs  James  River  was  juft  exe- 
cuted when  I received  your  difpatch  of  the  28  th  of 
June,  ordering  the  expedition  for  the  attempt  upon 
Philadelphia.  That  order  being  likewife  pofitive, 
unlefs  I was  engaged  in  any  important  move  of  my 
own,  or  in  operations  in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  I felt 
a particular  fatisfaftion  that  my  decifion  on  your  firft 
order  had  enabled  me  to  comply  fo  expeditioufly  with 
this;  and  I own,  that  inftead  of  blame,  I hoped  to 
have  merited  approbation. 

I was  clearly  convinced  when  I received  thofe 
orders,  and  I cannot  yet  fee  any  cause  to  alter  my 
opinion,  that  having  a fufficient  force  remaining  for 
a defenfive  in  the  poll  that  I had  refolved  to  occupy, 
and  for  defultory  water  excurftons,  if  I had  detained 
the  troops  required  and  fpecified  in  your  lift,  for  any 
other  reafon  than  that  of  being  engaged  in  an  im- 
portant move  of  my  own,  or  in  operations  in  the 
Upper  Chefapeak,  and  if  in  the  mean  time  a mif- 
fortune  had  happened  at  New  York,  or  you  had 
been  difappointed  of  any  material  objeft  at  Phila- 
delphia, my  condud;  would  have  been  highly  and 
defervedly  cenfured.  But  I acknowledge,  I never 
apprehended,  even  although  it  might  afterwards  ap- 
pear that  the  danger  at  New  York  was  not  immi- 
nent, nor  the  attempt  upon  Philadelphia  expedient, 
that  I Ihould  be  fubjed  to  blame  for  pafling  James 
river;  a ftep  rendered  indifpensably  neceflary  by  an 

obedience 


Operations  in  Virginia.  1 57 

obedience  of  your  orders,  and  for  the  fafety  of  the 
troops  remaining  under  my  command. 

Your  Excellency,  after  mentioning  your  intention 
of  recommencing  operation  in  the  Chefapeak  about 
the  beginning  of  Oftober,  is  pleafed  to  fay,  that  you 
will  then  determine  whether  you  will  ad:  in  Virginia 
according  to  my  plan,  or  in  the  Upper  Chefapeak 
according  to  your  own. 

It  is  true,  that  it  is  my  opinion,  that  while  we 
keep  a naval  fuperiority,  Virginia  is,  by  its  navi- 
gable rivers,  extremely  acceifible ; and  that  if  we 
have  force  to  accomplifh  it,  the  redudion  of  the 
province  would  be  of  great  advantage  to  England, 
on  account  of  the  value  of  its  trade,  the  blow  that 
it  would  be  to  the  rebels,  and  as  it  would  contribute 
to  the  redudion  and  quiet  of  the  Carolinas.  But 
in  my  fubordinate  fituation,  being  unacquainted  with 
the  inftrudions  of  adminiftration,  ignorant  of  the 
force  at  your  command  from  other  fervices,  aud 
without  the  power  of  making  the  necelTary  arrange- 
ments for  execution,  I can  only  offer  my  opinions 
for  confideration;  certainly  not  as  plans.  I am 
thoroughly  fenfible  that  plans,  which  effentially  af- 
fed  the  general  condud  of  the  war,  can  only  come 
from  your  Excellency,  as  being  in  pofTeffion  of  the 
requifite  materials  for  framing  them,  and  of  the 
power  of  arranging  the  means  for  their  execution. 
But  whatever  plan  you  may  think  proper  to  adopt 
for  operations  in  the  Chefapeak,  I fhall  be  mod:  lin- 

cerely 


158  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

cerely  concerned  if  your  Excellency  fhould  be  fo 
circumftanced  as  not  to  be  able  to  undertake  the 
execution  of  it  in  perfon;  for  the  event  muft  be  of 
great  importance  to  our  country,  and  not  only  the 
military  operations,  would  be  beft  diredled  by  your 
fuperior  abilities,  but  your  weight  and  authority  as 
commiflioner,  might  have  the  happieft  elfedls  in  the 
civil  and  political  regulation  of  the  country,  without 
which,  military  fuccefs  would  not  be  attended  with 
folid  confequences.  However,  if  your  Excellency 
fhould  find  it  neceffary  to  direcfl  me  to  undertake  the 
execution  of  any  plan  that  may  be  fixed  upon  by  you, 
I fhall  make  the  beft  ufe  in  my  power  of  the  force 
put  under  my  command.  But  as  my  ailing  differ- 
ently from  your  ideas  or  wifhes,  might,  in  many  in- 
flances,  be  attended  with  great  detriment  to  the 
King’s  fervice,  I fhall,  if  employed,  hope  to  be 
honoured  with  explicit  inflruilions  from  your  Excel- 
lency on  all  points  that  will  admit  of  them. 

I fhall,  by  the  firft  opportunity,  acquaint  General 
Leflie,  that  if  he  can  fpare  troops  from  the  fervice 
in  South  Carolina,  you  wifh  them  to  be  fent  to  New 
York.  But  being  ignorant  of  the  prefent  date  of 
affairs,  and  knowing  well  that,  fince  the  furrender  of 
Charles-town,  the  feafons  of  the  year  have  not  occa- 
fioned  military  inactivity  in  that  quarter,  I cannot 
judge  whether  your  Excellency  may  expect  any  rein- 
forcement from  thence. 


As 


Operations  in  Virginia. 


159 


As  there  appears  to  be  little  chance  of  co-operation 
from  hence  with  the  troops  in  that  province,  and  as 
my  communication  with  it  is  extremely  precarious,  I 
fubmit  it  to  your  Excellency’s  confideration,  whether 
it  would  not  be  moft  expedient  to  tranfmit  your  com- 
mands, relating  to  the  affairs  of  that  country,  direcdly 
to  General  Leflie. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


C O R R E S- 


CORRESPONDENCE 

BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  IV. 

RELATIVE  TO  OCCUPYING  AN  HARBOUR  FOR 
LINE  OF  BATTLE  SHIPS. 


NUMBER  I. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
Head-Barters,  New-Tork,  July  8/^,  1781. 

[Received  July  21ft,  1781,  from  Captain  Stapleton.] 

MY  LORD, 

I AM  this  moment  honoured  with  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  letter  by  Enfign  Amiel  of  the  30th  ultimo, 
and  am  very  happy  to  be  informed  you  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  deftroying  fuch  a quantity  of  arms 
and  public  ftores,  the  lofs  of  which  muft  be  very 
heavily  felt  by  the  enemy. 


w 


By 


1 62  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

By  your  Lordfhip’s  anfwer  to  my  letters  of  the 
iith  and  15th  ultimo,  (which  are  the  only  ones  you 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of,  and  in  which  I made  a 
requifition  for  fome  of  the  corps  ferving  in  the  Che- 
fapeak,  if  you  could  /pare  them,)  I am  to  underftand 
that  your  Lordfhip  does  not  think,  that  with  the  re- 
mainder (which  would  have  amounted  to  at  leaf!  four 
thoufand,  fuppofing  even  that  you  fent  me  three  thou- 
fand,)  you  could  maintain  the  polls  I had  propofed  to 
be  occupied  at  York-town,  &c.  fo  necelTary  in  every 
refpeft  to  cover  our  fleet,  and  give  us  entire  com- 
mand over  the  entrance  of  that  bay.  I therefore 
think  proper  to  mention  to  your  Lordfhip,  that 
whatever  my  ideas  may  have  been  of  the  force  fuf- 
ficient  to  maintain  that  ftation,  and  the  correfpond- 
ing  one  on  the  Gloucefter  fide,  your  Lordfhip  was 
left  the  foie  judge  of  that  fufficiency  to  the  whole 
amount  of  the  corps  under  your  immediate  orders  in 
^'^irginia;  nor  did  I mean  to  draw  a fingle  man  from 
you  until  you  had  provided  for  a refpeftable  defen- 
five,  and  retained  a fmall  corps  for  defultory  water 
expeditions;  for  my  requifition  was  made  after  the 
receipt  of  your  Lordfhip’s  letter  of  the  26th  of 
May;  from  which  I apprehend  that  you  had  no  im- 
mediate operation  of  your  own  to  propofe,  and  did 
not  think  it  expedient  to  adopt  the  one  I had  re- 
commended to  General  Phillips.  But  I confefs  I 
could  not  conceive  you  would  require  above  four 
thoufand  in  a flation  wherein  General  Arnold  had 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  163 

reprefented  to  me  (upon  report  of  Colonel  Simcoe) 
that  two  thoufand  men  would  be  amply  fufficient; 
and  being  ftrongly  imprefled  with  the  neceffity  of 
our  holding  a naval  flation  for  large  fhips  as  well  as 
fmall,  and  judging  that  York-town  was  of  impor- 
tance for  fecuring  fuch  a one,  I cannot  but  be  con- 
cerned that  your  Lordlhip  fhould  fo  fuddenly  lofe 
fight  of  it,  pafs  James-river,  and  retire  with  your 
army  to  the  fickly  poll:  of  Portfmouth,  where  your 
horfes  will,  I fear,  be  ilarved,  and  a hundred  other 
inconveniences  will  attend  you;  and  this,  my  Lord, 
as  you  are  pleafed  to  fay,  becaufe  you  were  of  opi- 
nion that  it  exceeded  your  power,  confident  with 
my  plans,  to  make  fafe  defenfive  polls  there  and  at 
Glouceller.  My  plans,  my  Lord,  were  to  draw  from 
Chefapeak,  as  well  for  the  fake  of  their  health,  as 
for  a necelTary  defenfive  in  this  important  poll,  fuch 
troops  as  your  Lordlhip  could  fpare  from  a refpecfta- 
ble  defenfive  of  York,  Glouceller,  or  fuch  other  lla- 
tion  as  was  proper  to  cover  line  of  battle  fhips,  and 
all  the  other  fervices  I had  recommended;  but  1 
could  not  polTibly  mean  that  your  Lordlhip  fhould, 
for  this,  give  up  the  hold  of  a llation  fo  important 
for  the  purpofes  I defigned,  and  which  I think 
La  Fayette  will  immediately  feize  and  fortify  the 
moment  he  hears  you  have  repaffed  James-river; 
for  though  I am  to  fuppofe  the  enemy  will  be  as 
little  able  to  defend  it  with  five  thoufand  as  your 
Lordlhip  judges  yourfelf  to  be,  and  of  courfe  may 

be 


164  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

be  for  the  fame  reafons  difpoflefled,  I fhould  be  forry 
to  begin  with  a flege  the  operations  I am  determined 
to  carry  on  in  .Chefapeak  whenever  the  feafon  will 
admit  of  it;  I will  therefore  confult  Rear-admiral 
Graves  on  this  fubjedl,  and  let  your  Lordfhip  have 
our  joint  opinion  in  confequence. 

With  regard  to  Portfmouth,  your  Lordfhip  will 
have  feen  by  my  former  letters  and  the  papers  in 
your  pofTefTion,  that  when  I sent  General  Leflie  to 
the  Chefapeak,  I only  wifhed  for  a flation  to  cover 
our  cruifing  frigates  and  other  fmall  Ihips;  that 
General  officer  thought  proper  to  make  choice  of 
Portfmouth,  and  had,  I doubt  not,  good  reafons  for 
fo  doing.  But  it  has  ever  been  my  opinion  that  if 
a better  could  be  found,  efpecially  for  covering  line 
of  battle  fhips,  it  ought  to  have  the  preference;  and 
I think,  if  Old  Point  Comfort  will  fecure  Hampton- 
Road,  that  is  the  flation  we  ought  to  choofe;  for  if 
Elizabeth-River  is  at  all  kept,  a fmall  pofl  for  about 
three  hundred  men  at  Mill-Point,  would  in  my  opi- 
nion anfwer.  But  as  to  quitting  the  Chefapeak  en- 
tirely, I cannot  entertain  a thought  of  fuch  a mea- 
fure,  but  fhall  mofl  probably  on  the  contrary  fend 
there,  as  foon  as  the  feafon  returns  for  adling  in  that 
climate,  all  the  troops  which  can  poffibly  be  fpared 
from  the  different  pofls  under  my  command.  I 
therefore  flatter  myfelf,  that  even  although  your 
Lordfhip  may  have  quitted  York  and  detached 
troops  to  me,  that  you  will  have  a fufficiency  to  re- 
occupy 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  165 

occupy  it,  or  that  you  will  at  leaft  hold  Old  Point 
Comfort,  if  it  is  poffible  to  do  it  without  York. 

I find  by  the  intercepted  letters  you  fent  me,  that 
La  Fayette’s  continentals,  when  joined  by  Stuben 
and  Wayne,  do  not  altogether  exceed  one  thoufand 
eight  hundred,  and  that  if  he  could  colled:  a numer- 
ous militia,  he  had  but  few  arms  to  put  into  their 
hands,  and  thofe  your  Lordfhip  I fee  has  effedually 
deftroyed.  It  likewife  appears  that  although  Greene 
may  himfelf  come  to  the  Northward,  his  corps  is  to 
remain  in  South  Carolina.  I therefore  fuppofe  your 
Lordlhip  has  recolleded  this,  when  you  fent  orders 
to  Brigadier-general  Gould  to  bring  the  19th  and 
30th  regiments  to  this  place,  efpecially  as  you  tell 
me  you  ftill  continue  in  the  moft  painful  anxiety  for 
the  fituation  of  that  province. 

I am  forry  Lord  Rawdon’s  health  Ihould  oblige 
him  to  return  to  Europe.  I think  it  is  highly  pro- 
per that  either  your  Lordlhip,  General  Lellie,  or 
General  O'Hara  fhould  go  to  Charles-town,  but  I 
can  by  no  means  confent  to  your  Lordlhip’s  going 
thither,  before  you  hear  further  from  me,  for  very 
elfential  reafons  which  I lhall  not  now  trouble  your 
Lordlhip  with. 

I am  very  unhappy  to  hear  of  the  unfortunate 
move  of  our  friends  and  its  confequences,  as  related 
by  Lieutenant  Haggarty;  thofe  under  the  influence 
of  Mr.  Alexander  were  defired  by  me  not  to  rife, 
and  they  feemed  contented  to  remain  quiet  until 

operation 


1 66  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

operation  came  to  them.  But  it  is  probable  they 
have  no  arms  to  defend  themfelves;  I Ihould  imagine 
that  if  a ftation  could  be  found  in  their  neighbour- 
hood, which  was  fafe  and  tenable,  and  arms  could  be 
given  to  them,  it  might  be  the  means  of  faving  many 
of  them:  your  Lordlhip  will,  however,  as  being  upon 
the  fpot  be  the  beft  judge  how  far  this  may  be  proper 
or  practicable,  for  as  I know  nothing  of  the  diftriCl 
where  this  is  fuppofed  to  have  happened,  or  what 
their  numbers,  I cannot  fay  how  far  it  may  be  expe- 
dient to  give  them  affiftance.  Your  Lordlhip  has,  I 
believe,  many  fpare  arms  in  Chefapeak,  and  there 
are  likewife  a confiderable  number  at  Charles-town, 
but  if  any  Ihould  be  wanted  from  hence,  I will  fpare 
as  many  as  I can. 

As  your  Lordlhip  muft  be  fenlible  how  necelfary 
it  is  I Ihould  have  frequent  and  accurate  returns  of 
the  Hate  of  the  troops  under  my  command,  I am 
perfuaded  you  will  pardon  me  for  requefting  you  to 
order  that  returns  are  prepared,  and,  if  polTible,  fent 
to  me  every  fortnight  of  the  troops  under  your 
Lordlhip’s  immediate  orders  in  the  Chefapeak,  and 
as  accurate  ones  as  can  be  procured  of  thofe  in  Caro- 
lina, and  the  other  fouthern  polls. 

By  the  letters  brought  to  me  from  the  Miniller  by 
the  lall  packet,  I underhand  that  three  battalions 
originally  dellined  for  this  army,  are  to  accompany 
Sir  George  Rodney  in  cafe  De  GralTe  comes  on  this 
coall,  from  whence  I am  to  conclude  he  will  be  cer- 
tainly 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships. 


167 

tainly  followed  by  that  Admiral.  I am  likewife  told 
that  nearly  two  thoufand  two  hundred  German  re- 
cruits and  auxiliary  troops  may  be  hourly  expected 
to  arrive  here. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  II. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Lari  Cornwallis,  dated 
Head-Barters,  New-Tork,  July  ii,  1781. 

[Received  July  21ft,  1781,  from  Captain  Stapleton.] 

MY  LORD, 

I am  juft  returned  from  having  a conference  with 
Rear-admiral  Graves,  in  confequence  of  your  Lord- 
Ihip’s  letter  of  the  30th  ultimo,  and  we  are  both 
clearly  of  opinion  that  it  is  abfolutely  neceflary  we 
Ihould  hold  a ftation  in  Chefapeak  for  Ihips  of  the 
line,  as  well  as  frigates;  and  the  Admiral  feems  to 
think  that  ftiould  the  enemy  poflefs  themfelves  of 
Old  Point  Comfort,  Elizabeth  River  would  no 
longer  be  of  any  ufe  to  us  as  a ftation  for  the  frigates, 
therefore  judges  that  Hampton-road  is  the  fitteft  fta- 
tion for  all  fhips,  in  which  your  Lordftiip  will  fee  by 
the  papers  in  your  pofleflion,  I likewife  agree  with 

him. 


1 68  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

him.  It  was  moreover  my  opinion  that  the  pofleffion 
of  York-town,  even  though  we  did  not  pofTefs  Glou- 
cefter,  might  give  fecurity  to  the  works  we  might 
have  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  which  I underftand 
fecures  Hampton-road. 

I had  flattered  myfelf  that  after  giving  me  as  nearly 
three  thoufand  men  as  you  could  fpare,  your  Lord- 
fhip  might  have  had  a fufiiciency  not  only  to  main- 
tain them,  but  to  fpare  for  defultory  expeditions;  for 
I had  no  other  plans  in  view  than  to  draw  for  the 
defence  of  this  poll,  and  operation  in  its  neighbour- 
hood, fuch  troops  as  could  be  fpared  from  your  army, 
after  leaving  an  ample  defenfive  to  fuch  ftations  as 
your  Lordfhip  might  judge  proper  to  occupy;  and  a 
fmall  moving  corps  for  defultory  water  expeditions 
during  the  fummer  months,  in  which  no  other  might 
be  proper  in  that  unhealthy  climate.  But  as  your 
Lordfhip  feems  to  think  that  you  can  in  no  degree 
comply  with  my  requifition  for  troops,  and  at  the 
fame  time  eftablifh  a poft  capable  of  giving  proteftion 
to  fhips  of  war,  and  it  is  probable,  from  what  you 
write  me,  that  you  may  have  repafled  James-river 
and  retired  to  Portfmouth;  I beg  leave  to  requeft 
that  you  will  without  lofs  of  time  examine  Old  Point 
Comfort,  and  fortify  it;  detaining  fuch  troops  as  you 
may  think  neceffary  for  that  purpofe,  and  garrifoning 
it  afterwards.  But  if  it  fhould  be  your  Lordfhip’s 
opinion  that  Old  Point  Comfort  cannot  be  held  with- 
out having  polfelTion  of  York,  for  in  this  cafe  Glou- 

cefter 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  169 

cefter  may  perhaps  be  not  fo  material,  and  that  the 
whole  cannot  be  done  with  lefs  than  feven  thoufand 
men,  you  are  at  full  liberty  to  detain  all  the  troops 
now  in  the  Chefapeak,  which  I believe  amount  to 
fomewhat  more  than  that  number;  which  very  liberal 
conceffion  will,  I am  perfuaded,  convince  your  Lord- 
Ihip  of  the  high  eftimation  in  which  I hold  a naval 
ftation  in  Chefapeak,  efpecially  when  you  confider 
that  my  whole  force  in  this  very  extenlive  and  im- 
portant poll,  is  not  quite  eleven  thoufand  elfedives; 
and  how  far  I may  be  justifiable  in  leaving  it  to  fo 
reduced  a garrifon,  time  will  fhew. 

I am  as  much  mortified  as  your  Lordfhip  can  pof- 
fibly  be  at  the  neceflity  there  is  at  prefent  for  leaving 
you  upon  the  defenfive  in  Chefapeak;  and  your  Lord- 
Ihip  will  do  me  the  juftice  to  obferve  that  I have  for 
fome  months  paft  been  myfelf  content  with  a fiarved 
defenfive,  from  the  defire  I had  to  give  your  Lordfhip 
as  large  an  army  for  offenfive  operations  as  I could. 
Therefore,  until  the  feafon  for  recommencing  opera- 
tions in  the  Chefapeak  fhall  return,  your  Lordfhip, 
or  whoever  remains  in  the  command  there,  mufl  I 
fear  be  content  with  a flrid;  defenfive;  and  I muft  de- 
fire that  you  will  be  pleafed  to  confider  this  as  a pofi- 
tive  requifition  to  you  not  to  detain  a greater  pro- 
portion of  the  troops  now  with  you  than  what  may  be 
abfolutely  necelTary  for  defenfive  operations,  &c.  as 
before  mentioned.  When,  therefore,  your  Lordfhip 
has  finally  determined  upon  the  force  you  think  fuf- 
X ficient 


1 70  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

ficient  for  fuch  works  as  you  fhall  eredl  at  Old  Point 
Comfort,  and  the  number  you  judge  requifite  to  cover 
them  at  York-town,  and  for  the  other  fervices  of  the 
Chefapeak  during  the  unhealthy  feafon;  you  will  be 
pleafed  to  fend  me  the  remainder.  Your  Lordlhip 
will  obferve  by  this  that  I do  not  fee  any  great  ne- 
cefTity  for  holding  Portfmouth  while  you  have  Old 
Point  Comfort;  for,  fhould  a ftation  on  Elizabeth- 
river  be  judged  necelTary,  I think  Mill-point  will 
anfwer  every  necelTary  purpofeof  covering  frigates,  &c. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  III. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Portjmouth,  Virginia,  July  iS,  1781. 

S I R, 

I RECEIVED  your  cyphered  letter  of  the  iith 
inllant,  on  the  20th,  in  confequence  of  which  the 
expedition  was  detained;  and  on  the  21ft  I was 
honoured  with  your  difpatches  of  the  8th  and  iith 
inllants,  delivered  by  Captain  Stapleton,  the  contents 
of  which,  I will  confefs,  were  to  me  as  unexpected  as, 
I truft,  they  are  undeferved. 


As 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  1 7 1 

As  a fubordinate  ofbcer,  I think  it  my  duty  to 
obey  pofitive  orders,  or  in  exercifing  difcretionary 
powers,  to  a<fl  as  much  as  poffible  conformable  to 
the  apparent  wifhes  of  my  fuperior  officer,  combined 
with  the  evident  good  of  the  fervice;  and  in  my  late 
condudl  I hope  I have  not  deviated  from  thofe  prin- 
ciples; for,  permit  me  to  remark,  that  I cannot  dif- 
cover  in  the  inftrucdions  to  General  Phillips,  and  the 
fubftance  of  private  converfation  with  him,  (extrafts 
of  which  I take  the  liberty  to  enclofe)  to  which  I am 
referred,  nor  in  our  former  correfpondence,  any  trace 
of  the  extreme  earneftnefs  that  now  appears,  to  fecure 
a harbour  for  fhips  of  the  line,  and  your  affent  to  my 
engaging  in  operations  in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  if  I 
could  have  brought  myfelf  to  think  them  expedient, 
would,  if  I had  doubted  before,  have  convinced  me 
that  fecuring  a harbour  for  line  of  battle  fhips  was 
not  with  you  a primary  and  immediate  objed;.  In 
my  letter  of  the  26th  of  May,  I informed  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  after  deftroying  the  ftores  at  Richmond 
and  the  adjoining  country,  I fhould  move  back  to 
Williamfburg,  keeping  the  army  in  readinefs  to  com- 
ply with  your  further  inftruftions.  I arrived  at  that 
place  on  the  25th,  and  on  the  26th  of  June  I re- 
ceived from  Enfign  Amiel  your  difpatches  of  the 
iith  and  15th  of  the  fame  month,  being  the  firft 
letters  that  I had  received  from  you  fince  my  arrival 
in  Virginia.  In  the  firft  you  tell  me,  that  New-York 
is  threatened  to  be  attacked  by  a very  numerous 

enemy. 


172  Corre/pondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

enemy,  and,  therefore,  wifhing  to  concentrate  your 
force,  you  recommend  to  me  to  fend  a body  of  troops 
to  you,  as  I can  fpare  them,  in  the  order  mentioned 
in  a lift,  unlefs  I have  engaged  in  operations  in  the 
Upper-Chefapeak;  and  in  the  difpatch  of  the  15th, 
taking  for  granted  that  I have  not  engaged  in  thofe 
operations,  you  require  the  embarkation  of  thofe 
troops  may  begin  with  the  greateft  difpatch.  After 
a full  compliance  with  this  requifition,  the  force  left 
under  my  command  would  have  been  about  two 
thoufand  and  four  hundred  rank  and  file,  fit  for 
duty,  as  will  appear  by  the  returns,  which  in  a poll 
adapted  to  that  number,  I hoped  would  be  fuflicient 
for  a defenfive,  and  defultory  water  expeditions.  You 
mention  Williamfburg  and  York  in  your  letter  of 
the  iith,  as  defenfive  ftations,  but  only  as  being  fup- 
pofed  healthy,  without  deciding  on  their  fafety, — 
Williamfburg  having  no  harbour,  and  requiring  an 
army  to  occupy  the  pofition,  would  not  have  fuited 
us.  I faw  that  it  would  require  a great  deal  of  time 
and  labour  to  fortify  York  and  Gloucefter,  both  of 
which  are  neceffary  to  fecure  a harbour  for  velfels  of 
any  burthen;  and  to  effedl  it,  alTiftance  would  have 
been  wanted  from  fome  of  the  troops  then  under 
embarkation  orders,  which,  when  New-York  was  in 
danger,  I did  not  think  myfelf  at  liberty  to  detain 
for  any  other  purpofe  than  operations  in  the  Upper 
Chefapeak,  and  fuppofing  both  places  fortified,  I 
thought  they  would  have  been  dangerous  defenfive 

pofts. 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  1 73 

pofts,  either  of  them  being  eafily  acceflible  to  the 
whole  force  of  this  province,  and  from  their  fituation 
they  would  not  have  commanded  an  acre  of  country. 
I,  therefore,  under  thefe  circumftances,  with  themoft 
earneft  defire  to  comply  with  what  I thought  were 
your  prefent  wilhes,  and  to  facilitate  your  intended 
future  operations  in  Pennfylvania,  did  not  hefitate  in 
deciding  to  pafs  James-river,  and  to  retire  to  Portf- 
mouth,  that  I might  be  able  to  fend  you  the  troops 
required.  And  I was  confirmed  in  the  propriety  of 
the  meafure,  when  upon  palTing  James-river,  I re- 
ceived your  difpatch,  informing  me  that  for  elTential 
reafons  you  had  refolved  to  make  an  attempt  on 
Philadelphia,  and  diredling  me  to  embark  with  the 
greateft  expedition  the  fame  body  of  troops,  with 
ftores,  &c.  for  that  purpofe.  Having  likewife  exe- 
cuted this  order  with  the  utmoft  exertion  and  alacrity, 
I mufi:  acknowledge  I was  not  prepared  to  receive  in 
the  next  difpatch  from  your  Excellency  a fevere  cen- 
fure  of  my  condud:. 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your  cyphered  let- 
ter, I gave  orders  to  the  engineer  to  examine  and 
furvey  Point  Comfort,  and  the  channels  adjoining  to 
it.  I have  likewife  vifited  it  with  the  Captains  of  the 
King’s  Ihips  now  lying  in  Hampton  road.  I have 
the  honour  to  inclofe  to  you  copies  of  the  report  of 
the  Engineer,  and  of  opinions  of  the  Captains  of  the 
navy  on  that  fubjed,  with  which  my  own  entirely 
concurs.  And  I likewife  tranfmit  a furvey  of  the 

peninfula 


174  Correfpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

peninfula,  made  by  Lieutenants  Sutherland  and  Strat- 
ton. From  all  which,  your  Excellency  will  fee,  that 
a work  on  Point  Comfort,  would  neither  command 
the  entrance,  nor  fecure  his  Majelly’s  Ihips  at  anchor 
in  Hampton  road.  This  being  the  cafe,  I fhall  in 
obedience  to  the  fpirit  of  your  Excellency’s  orders, 
take  meafures  with  as  much  difpatch  as  poifible,  to 
feize  and  fortify  York  and  Gloucefter,  being  the  only 
harbour  in  which  we  can  hope  to  be  able  to  give 
effectual  protection  to  line  of  battle  ihips.  I fhall, 
likewife,  ufe  all  the  expedition  in  my  power  to  evac- 
uate Portfmouth  and  the  polls  belonging  to  it,  but 
until  that  is  accomplilhed,  it  will  be  impolfible  for 
me  to  fpare  troops.  For  York  and  Gloucefter,  from 
their  fituation,  command  no  country;  and  a fupe- 
riority  in  the  field  will  not  only  be  necelTary  to  en- 
able us  to  draw  forage  and  other  fupplies  from  the 
country,  but  likewife  to  carry  on  our  works  without 
interruption. 

Your  Excellency  having  been  pleafed  to  difap- 
prove  of  my  going  to  South  Carolina,  I have  fent 
General  Leftie,  who  failed  on  the  25th  inftant,  in  the 
Carysfort,  to  take  the  command  there. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships, 


^75 


Inclofed  in  No.  III. 

Extrabl  of  the  InftruSiions  of  his  Excellency  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,,  to  Major-general  Phillips,  dated  New-Tork, 
March  lo,  1781. 

“If  the  Admiral,  difapproving  of  Portfmouth,  and 
requiring  a fortified  ftation  for  large  fhips  in  the 
Chefapeak,  fhould  propofe  York-town,  or  Old  Point 
Comfort,  if  polTeflion  of  either  can  be  acquired  and 
maintained  without  great  rilk  or  lofs,  you  are  at 
liberty  to  take  polTeflion  thereof,  but  if  the  objections 
are  fuch  as  you  think  forcible,  you  mull,  after  Hating 
thofe  objections,  decline  it,  till  folid  operation  take 
place  in  the  Chefapeak.” 


ExtraSl  of  the  Subftance  of  feveral  Converfations  that  his 
Excellency  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  with  Major-general 
Phillips,  on  the  Subjebl  of  Operations  in  the  Chefapeak, 
before  his  Embarkation  on  his  Expedition  thither,  dated 
April  26,  1781. 

“With  regard  to  a ftation  for  the  protection  of 
the  King’s  Ihips,  I know  of  no  place  fo  proper  as 
York-town,  if  it  could  be  taken  polTeflion  of,  forti- 
fied, and  garrifoned  with  one  thoufand  men,  as  by 
having  one  thoufand  more  at  a poll  fomewhere  in 
Elizabeth-river,  York  and  James  rivers  would  be 

ours. 


176  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

ours,  and  our  cruizers  might  command  the  waters 
of  the  Chefapeak.  Troops  might  likewife  be  fpared 
from  thefe  pofts  to  carry  on  expeditions  during  the 
fummer  months,  when,  probably,  nothing  can  be 
rilked  in  that  climate  but  water  movements.  But  if 
the  heights  of  York,  and  thofe  on  Gloucefter  fide, 
cannot  be  fo  well  and  fo  foon  fortified  as  to  render 
that  poll  hors  d’infult  before  the  enemy  can  move  a 
force,  &c.  againft  it,  it  may  not  be  advifeable  to  at- 
tempt it.  In  that  cafe,  fomething  may  poffibly  be 
done  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  to  cover  large  Ihips 
lying  in  Hampton-road  (which  is  reckoned  a good 
one,  and  not  fo  liable  to  injury  from  gales  at  N.  E. 
as  that  of  York,  particularly  in  winter.)  If  neither 
can  be  fecured,  we  muft  content  ourfelves  with  keep- 
ing the  Chefapeak  with  frigates  and  other  armed  vef- 
fels,  which  will  always  find  fecurity  againft  a fuperior 
naval  force  in  Elizabeth  river.  As  our  operations 
in  proper  feafon  may  re-commence  in  the  Upper- 
James;  perhaps  a ftation  might  be  found  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  narrows  of  that  river  that  may  be  of  ufe 
in  future  day,  and  held  with  a fmall  force.  James- 
town feems  a proper  fpot  for  fuch  a ftation,  as  does 
the  place  where  the  narrows  and  windings  begin.” 


Inclofed 


An  Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships. 


177 


Inclofed  in  Number  III. 

Copy  of  the  Report  of  Lieutenant  Sutherland^  Engineer, 
dated  Billy  Ordnance  Tranfport,  Hampton  Road,  July 
25,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

AGREEABLE  to  your  orders,  I have  examined 
the  ground  on  Old  Point  Comfort  with  as  much 
accuracy  as  I poffibly  could,  and  for  your  Lordlhip’s 
better  information  I have  made  a furvey  of  the 
ground,  upon  which  is  laid  down  the  width  and 
foundings  of  the  channel. 

I beg  leave  to  offer  what  appears  to  me  refpefting 
the  fituation  of  a work  on  that  fpot. 

The  ground  where  the  ruins  of  Fort  George  lay 
is  the  litteft  for  a work,  but  at  the  fame  time  mull: 
be  attended  with  many  inconveniences. 

The  level  of  the  ground  there  is  about  two  feet 
higher  than  the  high  water  mark,  which,  from  its 
very  Ihort  diftance  to  the  deep  water,  muft  foon  be 
deftroyed  by  a naval  attack. 

The  great  width  and  depth  of  the  channel  give 
fhips  the  advantage  of  paffing  the  fort  with  very  little 
rilk.  I apprehend  fifteen  hundred  yards  is  too  great 
a diftance  for  batteries  to  ftop  fhips,  which  is  the  dif- 
tance  here.  Ships  that  wifh  to  pafs  the  fire  of  the 
fort  have  no  occafion  to  approach  nearer. 


Y 


Nor 


1 7 8 Correfpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

Nor  do  I imagine  a fort  built  there  could  afford 
any  great  protedion  to  an  inferior  and  weak  fleet, 
anchored  near  the  fort,  againft  a fuperior  fleet  of  the 
enemy,  which  muff  have  it  in  their  power  to  make 
their  own  difpofition,  and  place  our  fleet  between 
them  and  the  fort,  the  channel  affording  no  bay  for 
the  fecurity  of  fliips  under  cover  of  a fort. 

The  time  and  expence  to  build  a fort  there,  mufl: 
be  very  confiderable,  from  the  low  fituation  of  the 
ground,  which  muff  neceffarily  caufe  the  foil  to  be 
moved  from  a great  diftance,  to  form  the  ramparts 
and  parapets;  and  every  other  material  muff  be  car- 
ried there,  as  the  timber  on  the  peninfula  is  unfit  for 
any  ufeful  purpofe. 

Thefe  are  the  remarks  which  have  occurred  to  me 
on  examining  the  ground  and  fituation  of  a work  on 
Old  Point  Comfort,  for  the  protedtion  of  the  harbour 
and  fleet,  which  I humbly  fubmit  to  your  Lordlhip. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ALEX.  SUTHERLAND, 
Lieutenant  of  Engineers. 


Inclofed 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships. 


179 


Inclofed  in  No.  III. 

Copy  of  the  Opinions  of  the  Commanders  of  his  Majefty  s 
Ships  in  Chefapeak,  relative  to  Old  Point  Comfort., 
dated  Richmond,  Hampton  Road,  July  26,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

IN  confequence  of  a requifition  that  your  Lord- 
fhip  received  from  the  commanders  in  chief  of  his 
Majefty’s  troops  and  fhips,  relative  to  a poll  being 
eftablifhed  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  for  the  protection 
and  fecurity  of  the  King’s  fhips  that  may  occahonally 
be  fent  to  the  Chefapeak:  We,  whofe  names  are 
hereunto  fubfcribed,  have  taken  as  accurate  a furvey 
of  that  place  as  pofTible,  and  are  unanimoufly  of 
opinion,  from  the  width  of  the  channel  and  depth 
of  water  clofe  to  it,  that  any  fuperior  enemy’s  force 
coming  in,  may  pafs  any  work  that  can  be  eftablifhed 
there,  with  little  damage,  or  deftroy  it  with  the  fliips 
that  may  be  there,  under  its  protecftion. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CHARLES  HUDSON, 
THOMAS  SYMONDS, 
CHARLES,  EVERITT, 
RALPH  DUNDAS. 


NUMBER 


1 8o  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 


NUMBER  IV. 

Admiral  Graves  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated  London,  of 
Sandy  Hook,  \'ith  July,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I HAVE  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Lordfhip 
that  the  Solebay,  Captain  Everitt,  carries  Captain 
Stapleton,  charged  with  his  Excellency  Sir  Henry 
Clinton’s  dilpatches  to  your  Lordfhip,  and  with  my 
orders  to  the  Captains  of  the  King’s  fhips  to  return 
with  the  troops  under  his  convoy  to  the  Chefapeak, 
and  if  not  failed,  for  them  to  remain,  and  to  conform 
to  your  Lordfhip’srequilitions  in  the  difpofal  of  them. 

I need  only  to  fay  to  your  Lordfhip,  that  there  is 
no  place  for  the  great  fhips  during  the  freezing  months 
on  this  fide  the  Chefapeak,  where  the  great  fhips  will 
be  in  fecurity,  and  at  the  fame  time  capable  of  ail- 
ing— and  in  my  opinion  they  had  better  go  to  the 
Weft  Indies  than  be  laid  up  in  Halifax  during  the 
winter.  If  the  fquadron  is  neceflary  to  the  operations 
of  the  army — Hampton  road  appears  to  be  the  place 
where  they  can  be  anchored  with  the  greatefh  fecurity, 
and  at  the  fame  time  be  capable  of  ailing  with  the 
moft  effeil  againfh  any  attempts  of  the  enemy. — To 
this  end.  Old  Point  Comfort  feems  neceflary  to  be 
occupied  by  us,  as  commanding  the  entrance  to  the 
road — and  if  York  can  be  fecured,  it  will  give  the 

command 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  1 8 1 

command  of  the  Lower  or  Elizabeth  country,  and 
deprive  the  rebels  of  the  ufe  of  the  two  beft  fettled 
rivers  of  the  Chefapeak,  and  deter  an  enemy  from 
entering  the  Chefapeak  whilft  we  command  the  accefs 
to  it — for  we  Ihould  have  all  his  convoys  and  detach- 
ments expofed  to  our  attempts. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

THO.  GRAVES. 


NUMBER  V. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Admiral  Graves,  dated  P or tf mouth, 
July  i6,  1781. 

S I R, 

I WAS  honoured  with  your  letter  of  the  12th  of 
July,  by  the  Solebay,  in  which  you  mention  a delire 
of  having  a harbour  fecured  in  the  Chefapeak  for  line 
of  battle  Ihips.  I immediately  ordered  the  engineers 
to  examine  Old  Point  Comfort,  and  went  thither 
myfelf  with  the  captains  of  the  navy  on  this  ftation. 
You  will  receive  a copy  of  the  engineer’s  report,  with 
a Iketch  of  the  peninfula,  and  the  opinion  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  navy  relative  to  the  occupying  and  forti- 
fying of  that  poll. 

The  Commander-in-chief  having  fignified  to  me  in 
his  letter  of  the  i ith  inftant,  that  he  thought  a fecure 

harbour 


1 8 2 Correfpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

harbour  for  line  of  battle  fhips  of  fo  much  importance 
in  the  Chefapeak,  that  he  wilhed  me  to  polfefs  one, 
even  if  it  fhould  occupy  all  the  force  at  prefent  in 
Virginia;  and,  as  it  is  our  unanimous  opinion,  that 
Point  Comfort  will  not  anfwer  the  purpofe,  I lhall 
immediately  fieze  and  fortify  the  polls  of  York  and 
Gloucefler,  and  lhall  be  happy  at  all  times  to  concur 
in  any  meafures  which  may  promote  the  convenience 
and  advantage  of  his  Majefty’s  navy. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  VI. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
Tork,  in  Virginia,  Auguft  12,  1781. 

S I R, 

I RECEIVED  the  inclofed  letter  lalt  night  from 
Governor  Bruere;  one  to  the  fame  effedl  arrived  two 
days  ago  from  him,  directed  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  of  the  Navy,  and  was  immediately  forwarded 
to  the  Admiral  by  the  officer  llationed  near  the  Capes. 

I embarked  the  eightieth  regiment  in  boats,  and 
went  myfelf  on  board  the  Richmond  very  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  29th;  but  we  were  fo  unfortunate  in 
winds  as  to  be  four  days  on  our  palTage.  The  eightieth 

landed 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  183 

landed  on  the  night  of  the  ift  at  Glocefter;  and  the 
troops  which  were  in  tranfsports  on  the  morning  of 
the  2d  at  this  place.  I have  fince  brought  the  feventy- 
firft  and  the  Legion  hither,  and  fent  the  regiment  du 
Prince  Hereditaire  to  Gloucefter.  The  works  on  the 
Gloucefter  fide  are  in  fome  forwardnefs,  and  I hope  in 
a fituation  to  refill  a fudden  attack.  Brigadier-general 
0‘Hara  is  hallening  as  much  as  polfible  the  evacuation 
of  Portfmouth;  as  foon  as  he  arrives  here,  I will  fend 
to  New-York  every  man  that  I can  fpare,  confillent 
with  the  fafety  and  fubfillence  of  the  force  in  this 
country. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  VII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Lari  Cornwallis.,  datea 
New-York.,  Auguft  ii,  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

[Received  Auguft  16,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I AM  honoured  with  your  Lordfhip’s  difpatches 
of  the  24th  and  27th  ultimo,  which  were  delivered  to 
me  by  Captain  Stapleton  on  the  ill  inftant,  which  I 
lhall  defer  anfwering  to  a fafer  opportunity. 


I have 


1 84  Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 

I have  the  pleafure  to  inform  you,  that  the  fleet 
from  Bremer-lehe  is  this  day  arrived  with  two  thou- 
fand  five  hundred  German  recruits. 

I hope  before  this  meets  your  Lordlhip  you  will 
fo  far  have  eftabliflied  yourfelf  on  the  Williamfburg 
Neck,  as  to  have  been  able  to  embark  the  troops  you 
can  fpare  me  for  operation  here — In  which  cafe  I have 
no  doubt  Captain  Hudfon  will  have  given  every  alfift- 
ance  to  forward  them  to  us  as  foon  as  polTible.  And 
if  they  are  not  already  failed,  I beg  that  the  Queen’s 
Rangers  may  be  the  fecond  corps  you  fend  me;  and 
that  your  Lordlhip  will  pleafe  to  recoiled  my  wilh  to 
have  fuch  a proportion  of  General  Arnold’s  boats, 
and  artillery  men  and  ftores  as  you  can  fpare.  And 
as  you  have  three  engineers,  I beg  that  Lieutenant 
Sutherland  may  be  fent  to  this  place,  as  alfo  Captain 
Page  of  the  artillery.  The  French  and  rebels  Ihewed 
themfelves  the  other  day  in  front  of  our  lines  to  the 
amount  of  eleven  thoufand. 

A man  goes  from  hence  through  the  country  to 
your  Lordlhip  with  a propofal  to  liberate  the  Con- 
vention troops — for  which  he  fays  he  will  only  want 
a frigate  and  fome  tranfports  to  receive  them. — Left 
any  accident  fhould  happen  to  the  runner  that  carries 
this,  a duplicate  of  it  is  fent  by  him  in  cypher. 

H.  C. 


N U M- 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships. 


185 


NUMBER  VIIL 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K.  B.  dated 
Tork-town,  \6th  Auguf,  1781. 

S I R, 

THIS  morning  I received  your  cyphered  letter  of 
the  nth  inftant,  by  the  runner. 

I did  not  imagine  that  my  letter  of  the  a6th  July 
would  have  given  your  Excellency  reafon  to  be  fo 
fanguine  as  to  hope,  that  by  this  time  any  detachment 
could  have  been  made  from  hence.  The  evacuation 
of  Portfmouth  has  employed  one  engineer,  and  a 
number  of  labourers  and  artificers;  and  with  every 
exertion  by  land  and  water,  I do  not  exped:  that 
bufinefs  to  be  completed  before  the  21ft  or  iid  inftant. 
Since  our  arrival  we  have  bellowed  our  whole  labour 
on  the  Gloucefter  lide;  but  I do  not  think  the  works 
there  (after  great  fatigue  to  the  troops)  are  at  prefent, 
or  will  be  for  fome  time  to  come,  fafe  againft  a coup 
de  main  with  lefs  than  one  thoufand  men. 

After  our  experience  of  the  labour  and  difficulty 
of  conftruding  works  at  this  feafon  of  the  year,  and 
the  plan  for  fortifying  this  lide  not  being  entirely  set- 
tled, I cannot  at  prefent  fay  whether  I can  fpare  any 
troops,  or  if  any,  how  foon.  But  when  the  garrifon 
of  Portfmouth  arrives,  and  the  engineer’s  plan  is  com- 
pleted, I ffiall  apply  to  Captain  Hudfon  for  a Irigate 
to  carry  my  report  of  the  ftate  of  things  here,  and  to 
z bring 


1 8 6 Correjpondence  relative  to  occupying  an 


bring  your  Excellency’s  commands  upon  it.  I have 
received  your  Excellency’s  difpatches  of  the  15th  and 
26th  ult.  which  I fhall  anfwer  by  the  firft  fafe  oppor- 
tunity. 

I beg  that  your  Excellency  will  be  pleafed  to  order 
it  to  be  notified  to  the  port  of  New-York  that  Portf- 
niouth  is  evacuated,  to  prevent  veffels  going  into  that 
harbour. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  IX. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
York  town,  Virginia,  lid  Augujl,  1781. 

S I R, 

PORTSMOUTH  having  been  completely  evacu- 
ated without  any  interruption  from  the  enemy.  Gene- 
ral O^H  ara  arrived  here  this  day  with  the  ftores  and 
troops;  and  a great  number  of  refugees  have  accom- 
panied him  from  the  counties  of  Norfolk,  Suffolk, 
and  Princefs  Anne. 

The  engineer  has  finifhed  his  furvey  and  examina- 
tion of  this  place,  and  has  propofed  his  plan  for  for- 
tifying it;  which  appearing  judicious,  I have  approved 
of,  and  direded  to  be  executed. 


The 


Harbour  for  Line  of  Battle  Ships.  187 

The  works  at  Gloucefter  are  now  in  fuch  forward- 
nefs,  that  a fmaller  detachment  than  the  prefent  gar- 
rifon  would  be  in  fafety  againft  a fudden  attack;  but 
I make  no  alteration  there,  as  I cannot  hope  that  the 
labour  of  the  whole  will  complete  that  poll  in  lefs 
than  five  or  fix  weeks. 

My  experience  there  of  the  fatigue  and  difficulty 
of  conftruding  works  in  this  warm  feafon,  convinces 
me,  that  all  the  labour  that  the  troops  here  will  be 
capable  of,  without  ruining  their  health,  will  be  re- 
quired at  leaft  for  fix  weeks  to  put  the  intended  works 
at  this  place  in  a tolerable  ftate  of  defence.  And  as 
your  Excellency  has  been  pleafed  to  communicate  to 
me  your  intention  of  re-commencing  operations  in 
the  Chefapeak  about  the  beginning  of  Oftober,  I will 
not  venture  to  take  any  ftep  that  might  retard  the 
eftabliffiing  of  this  poft;  but  I requefl:  that  your  Ex- 
cellency will  be  pleafed  to  decide  whether  it  is  more 
important  for  your  plans  that  a detachment  of  a thou- 
fand  or  twelve  hundred  men,  which  I think  I can 
fpare  from  every  other  purpofe  but  that  of  labour, 
ffiould  be  fent  to  you  from  hence,  or  that  the  whole 
of  the  troops  here  ffiould  be  employed  in  expediting 
the  works. 

My  laft  accounts  of  the  enemy  were,  that  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette  was  encamped  in  the  fork  ot 
the  Pamunky  and  Matapony  with  his  own  detachment 
of  Continentals,  a confiderable  body  of  eighteen- 
months  men,  and  two  brigades  of  militia  under 

Stevens 


i88 


Correfpondence^  &c. 


Stevens  and  Lawfon;  that  he  had  armed  four  hundred 
of  the  feven  hundred  Virginia  prifoners  lately  arrived 
from  Charles-town,  and  expedled  to  be  joined  In  a 
fhort  time  by  General  Smallwood  with  feven  hundred 
eighteen-months  men  from  Maryland;  and  that 
Generals  Wayne  and  Morgan  having  returned  from 
the  other  fide  of  James  river,  were  likewlfe  on  their 
march  to  join  him. 

There  being  only  four  eighteens  and  one  twenty- 
four  pounder  here,  more  heavy  guns  will  be  wanted 
for  the  fea  batteries  at  this  place,  and  we  are  likewife 
in  want  of  many  other  artillery  and  engineer’s  ftores, 
the  returns  of  which  I take  the  liberty  to  inclofe. 

It  is  proper  to  mention  to  your  Excellency,  that 
you  may  make  your  arrangements  accordingly,  that 
there  are  only  about  fix  hundred  ftand  of  fpare  arms 
in  the  Chefapeak;  and  that  our  confumption  of  pro- 
vifions  is  confiderably  increafed  by  a number  of  re- 
fugees lately  come  to  us,  and  by  negroes  that  are 
employed  in  different  branches  of  the  public  fervice. 

T have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


COR- 


CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  V. 

RELATIVE  TO  THE  DEFENCE  OF 
YORK,  IN  VIRGINIA. 


NUMBER  I. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
Tork-town,  in  Virginia,  317?  Augujl,  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

AF  R E N C H fhip  of  the  line,  with  two  frigates, 
and  the  Loyalift,  which  they  have  taken,  lie  at 
the  mouth  of  this  river. 

A Lieutenant  of  the  Charon,  who  went  with  an 
efcort  of  dragoons  to  Old  Point  Comfort,  reports, 
that  there  are  between  thirty  and  forty  fail  within 
the  Capes,  moftly  fhips  of  war,  and  fome  of  them 
very  large. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 


CORNWALLIS. 

N U M- 


190 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  11. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  dated 
York,  1 ft  September,  1781. 

[Written  in  Cypher  on  a Congrefs  Note.] 

AN  enemy’s  fleet  within  the  Capes,  between  thirty 
and  forty  fhips  of  war,  moftly  large. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  III. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated  York, 
in  Virginia,  id  September,  1781. 

[In  Cyph  er.] 

S I R, 

COMTE  de  Graffe’s  fleet  is  within  the  Capes  of 
the  Chefapeak.  Forty  boats  with  troops  went  up 
James  river  yefterday;  and  four  fhips  lie  at  the  en- 
trance of  this  river. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


N U M- 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia. 


191 


NUMBER  IV. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  K,  B.  datea 
Tork-town,  Virginia,  ^th  September,  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

COMTE  de  Grafle’s  fleet  is  within  the  Capes  or 
the  Chefapeak.  Forty  boats  with  troops  went  up 
James  river  on  the  ifl;  inftant,  which  are  landed,  as 
I am  informed,  at  James-city  Ifland;  and  four  fliips 
lie  at  the  entrance  of  this  river. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  V. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Tork-town,  in  Virginia,  %th  Sept.  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

I HAVE  made  feveral  attempts  to  inform  your 
Excellency,  that  the  French  Weft-India  fleet  under 
Monfleur  de  Grafle  entered  the  Capes  the  29th  ult. 
I could  not  exaftly  learn  their  number;  they  report 

twenty-five 


192  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

twenty- five  or  twenty-fix  fail  of  the  line.  One  of 
feventy-four  and  two  of  fixty- four,  and  one  frigate, 
lie  at  the  mouth  of  this  river.  On  the  6th,  the 
feventy-four  and  frigate  turned  down  with  a contrary 
wind;  and  yefterday  the  two  others  followed.  My 
report,  dated  laft  evening,  from  a point  below,  which 
commands  a view  of  the  capes  and  bay,  fays,  that 
there  were  within  the  capes  only  feven  fhips,  two  of 
which  were  certainly  fhips  of  the  line,  and  two  fri- 
gates. Firing  was  faid  to  be  heard  off  the  capes  the 
night  of  the  4th,  morning  and  night  of  the  5th,  and 
morning  of  the  6th. 

The  French  troops  landed  at  James-town  are  faid 
to  be  three  thoufand  eight  hundred  men;  Wafhing- 
ton  is  faid  to  be  fhortly  expelled,  and  his  troops  are 
intended  to  be  brought  by  water  from  the  head  of 
Elk  under  protecftion  of  the  French  fhips.  The 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette  is  at  or  near  Williamfburgh: 
the  French  troops  are  expedled  there,  but  were  not 
arrived  laft  night.  As  my  works  were  not  in  a date 
of  defence,  I have  taken  a fhrong  pofition  out  of  the 
town.  I am  now  working  hard  at  the  redoubts  of 
the  place.  Provifions  for  fix  weeks:  I will  be  very 
careful  of  it. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


N U M- 


Defence  of  Tork,  in  Virginia. 


193 


NUMBER  VI. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-ldork,  Sept.  1,  1781. — [In  Cypher.] 

[Triplicate,  — Received  15th  September.] 

MY  LORD, 

BY  intelligence  which  I have  this  day  received,  it 
would  feem  that  Mr.  Wafhington  is  moving  an  armv 
to  the  fouthward,  with  an  appearance  of  hafte,  and 
gives  out  that  he  expebls  the  co-operation  of  a con- 
liderable  French  armament.  Your  Lordfhip,  how- 
ever, may  be  aflured,  that  if  this  fhould  be  the  cafe, 
I fhall  either  endeavour  to  reinforce  the  army  under 
your  command  by  all  the  means  within  the  compafs 
of  my  power,  or  make  every  poflible  diverfton  in 
your  favour. 

Captain  Stanhope,  of  his  Majefty’s  fhip  Pegafus, 
who  has  juft  arrived  from  the  Weft  Indies,  favs,  that 
on  Friday  laft,  in  lat.  38  deg.  about  fixty  leagues 
from  the  coaft,  he  was  chafed  by  eight  fhips  of  the 
line,  which  he  took  to  be  French,  and  that  one  of 
the  vi(ftuallers  he  had  under  his  convoy  had  counted 
upwards  of  forty  fail  more.  Flowever,  as  Rear- 
admiral  Graves,  after  being  joined  by  Sir  Samuel 
Hood  with  fourteen  coppered  fhips  of  the  line,  failed 
from  hence  on  the  31ft  ult.  with  a fleet  of  nineteen 
AA  fail. 


194 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


fail,  befides  fome  fifty  gun  fhips,  I flatter  myfelf  you 
will  have  little  to  apprehend  from  that  of  the  French. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

P.  S.  Wafhington,  it  is  faid,  was  to  be  at  Trenton 
this  day,  and  means  to  go  in  vefllils  to  Chriftian 
Creek;  from  thence,  by  head  of  Elk,  down  Chefa- 
peak,  in  velfels  alfo.  If  that  navigation  is  not  inter- 
rupted, he  fhould  go  by  land  from  Baltimore.  Your 
Lordlhip  can  belt  judge  what  time  it  will  require — I 
fhould  fuppofe,  at  leaft,  three  weeks  from  Trenton. 
Wafhington  has  about  four  thoufand  French  and 
two  thoufand  rebel  troops  with  him. 

H.  C. 

September  4. — To  this  triplicate,  and  by  this  very 
uncertain  conveyance,  I fhall  only  add  to  your  Lord- 
lhip, that  I have  had  the  honour  to  receive,  this 
morning,  a duplicate,  and,  this  evening,  a triplicate 
of  your  letter  of  the  31  ft  ult. 

H.  C. 


N U M- 


Defence  of  Tork^  in  Virginia. 


195 


NUMBER  VII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-Tork,  Sept.  6,  at  Noon,  1781. — [In  Cypher.] 

[Received  i6th  September.] 

MY  LORD, 

AS  I find  by  your  letters  that  De  Grade  has  got 
into  the  Chefapeak,  and  I can  have  no  doubt  that 
Wafhington  is  moving  with,  at  lead,  fix  thoufand 
French  and  rebel  troops  againfi;  you,  I think  the  bell 
way  to  relieve  you,  is  to  join  you,  as  foon  as  poflible, 
with  all  the  force  that  can  be  fpared  from  hence,  which 
is  about  four  thoufand  men.  They  are  already  em- 
barked, and  will  proceed  the  inftant  I receive  informa- 
tion from  the  Admiral  that  we  may  venture,  or  that 
from  other  intelligence  the  Commodore  and  I fhall 
judge  fufficient  to  move  upon. 

By  accounts  from  Europe,  we  have  every  reafon 
to  exped  Admiral  Digby  hourly  on  the  coaft. 

Commodore  Johnftone  has  beat  a fuperior  French 
fleet  at  St.  Jago,  and  proceeded  the  day  after  for  the 
place  of  his  deftination. 

I beg  your  Lordfhip  will  let  me  know,  as  foon  as 
poffible,  your  ideas  how  the  troops  embarked  for  the 
Chefapeak  may  be  bell  employed  for  your  relief,  ac- 
cording to  the  ftate  of  circumftances  when  you  receive 

this 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


1 96 

this  letter.  I fhall  not,  however,  wait  to  receive  your 
anfwer,  Ihould  I hear,  in  the  mean  time,  that  the  paf- 
fage  is  open. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

P.  S.  I have  juft  received  your  Lordftiip’s  difpatch, 
by  the  Dundas  galley,  from  Mafter  Carey. 


NUMBER  VIII. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
York  Yown,  in  Virginia,  16th  Sept.  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

I HAVE  received  your  letters  of  the  2d  and  6th. 
The  enemy’s  fleet  has  returned.  Two  line  of  battle 
fhips,  and  one  frigate,  lie  at  the  mouth  of  this  river; 
and  three  or  four  line  of  battle  fhips,  feveral  frigates 
and  tranfports,  went  up  the  Bay  on  the  12th  and  14th. 
I hear  Wafhington  arrived  at  Williamfburgh  on  the 
14th.  Some  of  his  troops  embarked  at  head  of  Elk, 
and  the  others  arrived  at  Baltimore  on  the  12th. 

If  I had  no  hopes  of  relief,  I would  rather  rifk  an 
acftion  than  defend  my  half-finifhed  works;  but  as  you 
fay  Digby  is  hourly  expecfted,  and  promife  every 

exertion 


Defence  of  T'ork,  in  Virginia.  197 

exertion  to  affift  mCj  I do  not  think  myfelf  juftified 
in  putting  the  fate  of  the  war  on  fo  defperate  an  at- 
tempt. By  examining  the  tranfports  with  care,  and 
turning  out  ufelefs  mouths,  my  provihons  will  laft 
at  lead;  fix  weeks  from  this  day,  if  we  can  preferve 
them  from  accidents.  The  cavalry  muft,  I fear,  be 
all  loft.  I am  of  opinion,  that  you  can  do  me  no 
effedtual  fervice,  but  by  coming  diredly  to  this  place. 

Lieutenant  Conway,  of  the  Cormorant,  is  juft  ex- 
changed. He  affures  me,  that  fince  the  Rhode  Ifland 
fquadron  has  joined,  they  have  thirty-fix  fail  of  the 
line.  This  place  is  in  no  ftate  of  defence.  If  you 
cannot  relieve  me  very  foon,  you  muft  be  prepared 
to  hear  the  worft. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  IX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis  dated 
New  York,  Sept.  24,  1781. — [In  Cypher.] 

[Received  September  29,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I W AS  honoured  yefterday  with  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter  of  the  i6th  and  17th  inftant,  and  at  a meeting 

of 


198  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

of  the  General  and  Flag  Officers  held  this  day,  it  is 
determined,  that  above  five  thoufand  men,  rank  and 
file,  ffiall  be  embarked  on  board  the  King’s  ffiips, 
and  the  joint  exertions  of  the  navy  and  army  made 
in  a few  days  to  relieve  you,  and  afterwards  co-operate 
with  you. 

The  fleet  confifts  of  twenty-three  fail  of  the  line, 
three  of  which  are  three  deckers.  There  is  every 
reafon  to  hope  we  fhart  from  hence  the  5th  Odlober. 
I have  received  your  Lordffiip’s  letter  of  the  8th 
inftant. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

P.  S.  Admiral  Digby  is  this  moment  arrived  at 
the  Hook,  with  three  fail  of  the  line. 

At  a venture,  without  knowing  whether  they  can 
be  feen  by  us,  I requeft,  that  if  all  is  well,  upon 
hearing  a confiderable  firing  towards  the  entrance  of 
the  Chefapeak,  three  large  feparate  fmokes  may  be 
made  parallel  to  it;  and,  if  you  poffefs  the  poll  of 
Gloucefter,  four. 

I ffiall  fend  another  runner  foon. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


Defence  of  Tork,  in  Virginia. 


199 


NUMBER  X. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  dated  York-Down 
in  Virginia.,  September  29,  1781.  loP.  M. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

I HAVE  ventured  thefe  laft  two  days  to  look 
General  Wafhington’s  whole  force  in  the  face  in  the 
pofition  on  the  outhde  of  my  works,  and  I have  the 
pleafure  to  affure  your  Excellency,  that  there  was 
but  one  wifh  throughout  the  whole  army,  which  was, 
that  the  enemy  would  advance. 

I have  this  evening  received  your  letter  of  the 
24th,  which  has  given  me  the  greateft  fatisfadlion. 
I fhall  retire  this  night  within  the  works,  and  have 
no  doubt,  if  relief  arrives  in  any  reafonable  time, 
York  and  Gloucefter  will  be  both  in  pofTeflion  of  his 
Majefty’s  troops. 

I believe  your  Excellency  muft  depend  more  on 
the  found  of  our  cannon  than  the  fignal  of  fmokes 
for  information;  however,  I will  attempt  it  on  the 
Gloucefter  fide. — Medicines  are  wanted. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER 


200 


Correspondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  XL 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  New-Tork, 
September  25,  1781. 

[Duplicate,  — in  Cypher.  — Received  Ohtober  2.] 
MY  LORD, 

MY  letter  of  yefterday  will  have  informed  your 
Lordfhip  of  the  number  of  jfhips  and  troops  we  can 
bring  with  us.  — It  is  fuppofed  the  neceflary  repairs 
of  the  fleet  will  detain  us  here  to  the  5th  of  Odober; 
and  your  Lordfhip  muft  be  fenfible  that  unforefeen 
accidents  may  lengthen  it  out  a day  or  two  longer;  I 
therefore  intreat  you  to  lofe  no  time  in  letting  me 
know  by  the  bearer  your  real  fltuation,  and  your 
opinion  how  upon  our  arrival  we  can  beft  ad  to  form 
a jundion  with  you,  together  with  the  exad  ftrength 
of  the  enemy’s  fleet,  and  what  part  of  the  Chefapeak 
they  appear  to  be  moft  jealous  of. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 

P.  S.  As  your  Lordfhip  muft  have  better  intelli- 
gence than  we  can  poffibly  have,  I requeft  you  will 
fend  a trufty  perfon  to  each  of  the  capes,  about  the 

7th 


Defence  of  Tork^  in  Virginia. 


201 


yth  of  next  month,  with  every  information  refpefting 
the  force  and  fituation  of  the  enemy,  you  may  judge 
necelTary,  and  direftions  to  continue  there  until  our 
arrival,  when  fmall  veffels  will  be  fent  to  bring  off 
any  perfon  they  may  find  there. 


NUMBER  XII. 

Karl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.,  dated  Tork-Kown, 
Virginia j OSlober  2,  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

I RECEIVED  your  letter  of  the  25th  of  Sep- 
tember laft  night.  The  enemy  are  encamped  about 
two  miles  from  us.  On  the  night  of  the  30th  of 
September  they  broke  ground,  and  made  two  re- 
doubts about  eleven  hundred  yards  from  our  works, 
which,  with  fome  works  that  had  been  conftrucded  to 
fecure  our  exterior  pofition  occupy  a gorge  between 
two  creeks  which  nearly  embrace  this  poll.  They 
have  finilhed  thefe  redoubts,  and  I expedt  they  will 
go  on  with  their  works  this  night.  From  the  time 
that  the  enemy  have  given  us,  and  the  uncommon 
exertions  of  the  troops,  our  works  are  in  a better 
ftate  of  defence  than  we  had  reafon  to  hope. 

I can  fee  no  means  of  forming  a jundtion  with  me 
BB  but 


202 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


but  by  York  river,  and  I do  not  think  that  any  di- 
verfion  would  be  of  ufe  to  us.  Our  accounts  of  the 
ftrength  of  the  French  fleet  have  in  general  been, 
that  they  were  thirty-five  or  thirty-fix  fail  of  the  line; 
they  have  frequently  changed  their  pofition ; two  Ihips 
of  the  line  and  one  frigate  lie  at  the  mouth  of  this 
river;  and  our  laft  accounts  were,  that  the  body  of 
the  fleet  lay  between  the  tail  of  the  Horfe  fiioe  and 
York  fpit.  And  it  is  likewife  faid,  that  four  line  of 
battle  fliips  lay  a few  days  ago  in  Hampton  road.  I 
fee  little  chance  of  my  being  able  to  fend  perfons  to 
wait  for  you  at  the  capes,  but  I will  if  poflible. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


NUMBER  XIII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated  New-Tork, 
September  30,  1781. 

[Duplicate,  — in  Cypher.] 

[Received  Obtober  10,  from  Major  Cockran.] 

MY  LORD, 

YOUR  Lordfhip  may  be  affured  that  I am  doing 
every  thing  in  my  power  to  relieve  you  by  a diredl 
move,  and  I have  reafon  to  hope,  from  the  alfurances 

given 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  203 

given  me  this  day  by  Admiral  Graves,  that  we  may 
pafs  the  bar  by  the  12th  of  Oftober,  if  the  winds 
permit,  and  no  unforefeen  accident  happens:  this, 
however,  is  fubjefl  to  difappointment,  wherefore,  if 
I hear  from  you,  your  wifhes  will  of  courfe  diredt 
me,  and  I lhall  perfift  in  my  idea  of  a direft  move, 
even  to  the  middle  of  November,  fhould  it  be  your 
Lordfhip’s  opinion  that  you  can  hold  out  fo  long; 
but  if,  when  I hear  from  you,  you  tell  me  that  you 
cannot,  and  I am  without  hopes  of  arriving  in  time 
to  fuccour  you  by  a diredl  move,  I will  immediately 
make  an  attempt  upon  Philadelphia  by  land,  giving 
you  notice,  if  polTible,  of  my  intention.  If  this  fhould 
draw  any  part  of  Wafhington’s  force  from  you,  it 
may  poflibly  give  you  an  opportunity  of  doing  fome- 
thing  to  fave  your  army;  of  which,  however,  you  can 
beft  judge  from  being  upon  the  fpot. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER 


204 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  XIV. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Tork-Eown,  Virginia,  Odlober,  ii,  1781. — 12  M. 

[In  Cyph  er.] 

S I R, 

COCHRAN  arrived  yefterday.  I have  only  to 
repeat  what  I faid  in  my  letter  of  the  3d,  that  nothing 
but  a direhl  move  to  York  river,  which  includes  a 
fuccefsful  naval  aftion,  can  fave  me.  The  enemy 
made  their  firft  parallel  on  the  night  of  the  6th,  at 
the  diftance  of  fix  hundred  yards,  and  have  perfedled 
it,  and  conftrufted  places  of  arms  and  batteries,  with 
great  regularity  and  caution.  On  the  evening  of  the 
9th  their  batteries  opened,  and  have  fince  continued 
firing  without  intermifiion,  with  about  forty  pieces 
of  cannon,  moftly  heavy,  and  fixteen  mortars,  from 
eight  to  fixteen  inches.  We  have  loft  about  feventy 
men,  and  many  of  our  works  are  confiderably  da- 
maged; with  fuch  works  on  difadvantageous  ground, 
againft  fo  powerful  an  attack  we  cannot  hope  to  make 
a very  long  refiftance. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


P.  S.  Since 


Defence  of  Tork,  in  Virginia. 


205 


P.  S. — 061.  II,  5 P.M.  — Since  my  letter  was 
written,  we  have  loft  thirty  men. 

061.  12,  — 7 P.M.  Laft  night  the  enemy  made 
their  fecond  parallel' at  the  diftance  of  three  hundred 
yards. 

We  continue  to  lofe  men  very  fall. 


NUMBER  XV. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
Tork-Eown,  Odlober  15,  1781. 

[In  Cypher.] 

S I R, 

LAST  evening  the  enemy  carried  my  two  ad- 
vanced redoubts  on  the  left  by  ftorm,  and  during 
the  night  have  included  them  in  their  fecond  parallel, 
which  they  are  at  prefent  bufy  in  perfe6ling.  My 
fttuation  now  becomes  very  critical;  we  dare  not  fhew 
a gun  to  their  old  batteries,  and  I expe6t  that  their 
new  ones  will  open  to-morrow  morning;  experience 
has  fhewn  that  our  frelh  earthen  works  do  not  refill: 
their  powerful  artillery,  fo  that  we  fhall  foon  be  ex- 
pofed  to  an  aflault  in  ruined  works,  in  a bad  pofition, 
and  with  weakened  numbers.  The  fafety  of  the  place 
is,  therefore,  fo  precarious,  that  I cannot  recommend 
that  the  fleet  and  army  fhould  run  great  rifque  in 
endeavouring  to  fave  us. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 

NUMBER 


2o6 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  XVI. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated  Tork- 
Eown,  Virginia,  October  lo,  1781. 

S I R, 

I have  the  mortification  to  inform  your  Excellency 
that  I have  been  forced  to  give  up  the  polls  of  York 
and  Glouceller,  and  to  furrender  the  troops  under 
my  command,  by  capitulation  on  the  the  19th  inll. 
as  prifoners  of  war  to  the  combined  forces  of  America 
and  France. 

I never  faw  this  poll  in  a very  favourable  light, 
but  when  I found  I was  to  be  attacked  in  it  in  fo 
unprepared  a Hate,  by  fo  powerful  an  army  and 
artillery,  nothing  but  the  hopes  of  relief  would  have 
induced  me  to  attempt  its  defence;  for  I would  either 
have  endeavoured  to  efcape  to  New-York,  by  rapid 
marches  from  the  Glouceller  fide,  immediately  on 
the  arrival  of  General  Wafhington’s  troops  at  Wil- 
liamfburgh,  or  I would  notwithfhanding  the  difparity 
of  numbers  have  attacked  them  in  the  open  field, 
where  it  might  have  been  jufh  polfible  that  fortune 
would  have  favoured  the  gallantry  of  the  handful  of 
troops  under  my  command:  but  being  alfured  by 
your  Excellency’s  letters,  that  every  polfible  means 
would  be  tried  by  the  navy  and  army  to  relieve  us, 
I could  not  think  myfelf  at  liberty  to  venture  upon 

either 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  207 

either  of  thofe  defperate  attempts;  therefore,  after 
remaining  for  two  days  in  a ftrong  pofition  in  front 
of  this  place,  in  hopes  of  being  attacked,  upon  ob- 
ferving  that  the  enemy  were  taking  meafures,  which 
could  not  fail  of  turning  my  left  flank  in  a fhort  time, 
and  receiving  on  the  fecond  evening  your  letter  of  the 
24th  of  September,  informing  that  the  relief  would 
fail  about  the  5th  of  October,  I withdrew  within  the 
works  on  the  night  of  the  29th  of  September,  hoping 
by  the  labour  and  firmnefs  of  the  foldiers,  to  protrad: 
the  defence  until  you  could  arrive.  Every  thing  was 
to  be  expeded  from  the  fpirit  of  the  troops,  but  every 
difadvantage  attended  their  labour,  as  the  works  were 
to  be  continued  under  the  enemy’s  fire,  and  our  flock 
of  intrenching  tools,  which  did  not  much  exceed  four 
hundred,  when  we  began  to  work  in  the  latter  end  of 
Augufl,  was  now  much  diminifhed. 

The  enemy  broke  ground  on  the  night  of  the  30th, 
and  conflruded  on  that  night,  and  the  two  following 
days  and  nights,  two  redoubts,  which,  with  fome 
works  that  had  belonged  to  our  outward  pofltion, 
occupied  a gorge  between  two  creeks  or  ravines, 
which  come  from  the  river  on  each  fide  of  the  town. 
On  the  night  of  the  6th  of  Odober  they  made  their 
firfl  parallel,  extending  from  its  right  on  the  river  to 
a deep  ravine  on  the  left,  nearly  oppofite  to  the  center 
of  this  place,  and  embracing  our  whole  left  at  the  dif- 
tance  of  fix  hundred  yards.  Having  perfeded  this 
parallel,  their  batteries  opened  on  the  evening  of  the 

9th, 


2o8  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

9th,  againft  our  left,  and  other  batteries  fired  at  the 
fame  time  againfi:  a redoubt,  advanced  over  the  Creek 
upon  our  right,  and  defended  by  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  men  of  the  23d  regiment  and  marines, 
who  maintained  that  poll  with  uncommon  gallantry. 
The  fire  continued  incelTant  from  heavy  cannon  and 
from  mortars  and  howitzes,  throwing  fhells  from  eight 
to  fixteen  inches,  until  all  our  guns  on  the  left  were 
filenced,  our  work  much  damaged,  and  our  lofs  of 
men  confiderable.  On  the  night  of  the  iith  they 
began  their  fecond  parallel,  about  three  hundred 
yards  nearer  to  us;  the  troops  being  much  weakened 
by  ficknefs  as  well  as  by  the  fire  of  the  befiegers,  and 
obferving  that  the  enemy  had  not  only  fecured  their 
flanks,  but  proceeded  in  every  refpe6l  with  the  utmoft 
regularity  and  caution,  I could  not  venture  fo  large 
forties,  as  to  hope  from  them  any  confiderable  effedl; 
but  otherwife,  I did  every  thing  in  my  power  to  in- 
terrupt this  work,  by  opening  new  embrazures  for 
guns,  and  keeping  up  a confiant  fire  with  all  the 
howitzes  and  fmall  mortars  that  we  could  man.  On 
the  evening  of  the  14th,  they  alfaulted  and  carried 
two  redoubts  that  had  been  advanced  about  three 
hundred  yards  for  the  purpofe  of  delaying  their  ap- 
proaches, and  covering  our  left  flank,  and  during  the 
night  included  them  in  their  fecond  parallel,  on  which 
they  continued  to  work  with  the  utmoft  exertion. 
Being  perfeblly  fenfible  that  our  works  could  not 
ftand  many  hours  after  the  opening  of  the  batteries 

of 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia. 


209 


of  that  parallel,  we  not  only  continued  a conftant  fire 
with  all  our  mortars,  and  every  gun  that  could  be 
brought  to  bear  upon  it,  but  a little  before  day  break 
on  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  I ordered  a fortie  of 
about  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Lieutenant-colonel  Abercrombie  to  attack 
two  batteries,  which  appeared  to  be  in  the  greateft 
forwardnefs,  and  to  fpike  the  guns.  A detachment 
of  guards  with  the  eightieth  company  of  Grenadiers, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Lake  at- 
tacked the  one,  and  one  of  Light  Infantry  under  the 
command  of  Major  Armftrong  attacked  the  other, 
and  both  fucceeded  by  forcing  the  redoubts  that 
covered  them,  fpiking  eleven  guns,  and  killing  or 
wounding  about  one  hundred  of  the  French  troops, 
who  had  the  guard  of  that  part  of  the  trenches,  and 
with  little  lofs  on  our  fide.  This  aftion,  though  ex- 
tremely honourable  to  the  officers  and  foldiers  who 
executed  it,  proved  of  little  public  advantage,  for  the 
cannon  having  been  fpiked  in  a hurry,  were  foon  ren- 
dered fit  for  fervice  again,  and  before  dark  the  whole 
parallel  and  batteries  appeared  to  be  nearly  complete. 
At  this  time  we  knew  that  there  was  no  part  of  the 
whole  front  attacked,  on  which  we  could  ffiow  a fingle 
gun,  and  our  ffiells  were  nearly  expended;  I there- 
fore had  only  to  chufe  between  preparing  to  furrender 
next  day,  or  endeavouring  to  get  off  with  the  greateft 
part  of  the  troops,  and  I determined  to  attempt  the 
latter,  reflecfting  that  though  it  ffiould  prove  unfuc- 
cc  cefsful 


2 1 o Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

cefsful  in  its  immediate  objeft,  it  might  at  leaft  delay 
the  enemy  in  the  profecution  of  further  enterprizes: 
hxteen  large  boats  were  prepared,  and  upon  other 
pretexts  were  ordered  to  be  in  readinefs  to  receive 
troops  precifely  at  ten  o’clock.  With  thefe  I hoped 
to  pafs  the  infantry  during  the  night,  abandoning 
our  baggage,  and  leaving  a detachment  to  capitulate 
lor  the  town’s  people,  and  the  fick  and  wounded;  on 
which  fubjed  a letter  was  ready  to  be  delivered  to 
General  Wafhington.  After  making  my  arrange- 
ments with  the  utmoft  fecrecy,  the  Light  Infantry, 
greateft  part  of  the  Guards,  and  part  of  the  twenty- 
third  regiment  landed  at  Gloucefter;  but  at  this 
critical  moment,  the  weather  from  being  moderate 
and  calm,  changed  to  a moft  violent  ftorm  of  wind 
and  rain,  and  drove  all  the  boats,  fome  of  which  had 
troops  on  board,  down  the  river.  It  was  foon  evi- 
dent that  the  intended  palfage  was  impradicable,  and 
the  abfence  of  the  boats  rendered  it  equally  impoffible 
to  bring  back  the  troops  that  had  palfed;  which  I had 
ordered  about  two  in  the  morning.  In  this  fituation, 
with  my  little  force  divided,  the  enemy’s  batteries 
opened  at  day  break;  the  palfage  between  this  place 
and  Gloucefter  was  much  expofed,  but  the  boats 
having  now  returned,  they  were  ordered  to  bring 
back  the  troops  that  had  palfed  during  the  night,  and 
they  joined  us  in  the  forenoon  without  much  lofs. 
Our  works  in  the  mean  time  were  going  to  ruin,  and 
not  having  been  able  to  ftrengthen  them  by  abbatis. 


nor 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  2 1 1 

nor  in  any  other  manner  but  by  a flight  fraizing 
which  the  enemy’s  artillery  were  demolifhing  where- 
ever  they  fired,  my  opinion  entirely  coincided  with 
that  of  the  engineer  and  principal  officers  of  the  army, 
that  they  were  in  many  places  alfailable  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  that  by  the  continuence  of  the  fame  fire 
for  a few  hours  longer,  they  would  be  in  fuch  a ftate 
as  to  render  it  defperate  with  our  numbers  to  attempt 
to  maintain  them.  We  at  that  time  could  not  fire  a 
fingle  gun,  only  one  eight-inch  and  little  more  than 
an  hundred  cohorn  fhells  remained;  a diverfion  by 
the  French  fhips  of  war  that  lay  at  the  mouth  of 
York-river,  was  to  be  expefted.  Our  numbers  had 
been  diminiffied  by  the  enemy’s  fire,  but  particularly 
by  ficknefs,  and  the  ftrength  and  fpirits  of  thofe  in 
the  works  were  much  exhaufted  by  the  fatigue  of 
conftant  watching  and  unremitting  duty.  Under  all 
thefe  circumftances,  I thought  it  would  have  been 
wanton  and  inhuman  to  the  laft  degree  to  facrifice 
the  lives  of  this  fmall  body  of  gallant  foldiers,  who 
had  ever  behaved  with  fo  much  fidelity  and  courage, 
by  expofing  them  to  an  alfault,  which  from  the  num- 
bers and  precautions  of  the  enemy  could  not  fail  to 
fucceed.  I therefore  propofed  to  capitulate,  and  I 
have  the  honour  to  inclofe  to  your  Excellency  the 
copy  of  the  correfpondence  between  General  Waffi- 
ington  and  me  on  that  fubjebl,  and  the  terms  of 
capitulation  agreed  upon.  I fincerely  lament  that 
better  could  not  be  obtained,  but  I have  negledted 

nothing 


2 1 2 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

nothing  in  my  power  to  alleviate  the  misfortune  and 
diftrefs  of  both  officers  and  foldiers.  The  men  are 
well  cloathed  and  provided  with  neceffaries,  and  I 
truft  will  be  regularly  fupplied  by  the  means  of  the 
officers  that  are  permitted  to  remain  with  them.  The 
treatment,  in  general,  that  we  have  received  from  the 
enemy  fince  our  furrender,  has  been  perfedlly  good 
and  proper;  but  the  kindnefs  and  attention  that  has 
been  fliewn  to  us  by  the  French  officers  in  particular, 
their  delicate  fenfibility  of  our  fituation,  their  gener- 
ous and  preffing  offer  of  money  both  public  and 
private,  to  any  amount,  has  really  gone  beyond  what 
I can  poffibly  defcribe,  and  will,  I hope,  make  an 
impreffion  on  the  breaft  of  every  Britifh  officer,  when- 
ever the  fortune  of  war  fhould  put  any  of  them  into 
our  power. 

Although  the  event  has  been  fo  unfortunate,  the 
patience  of  the  foldiers  in  bearing  the  greateft  fatigues, 
and  their  firmnefs  and  intrepidity  under  a perfevering 
fire  of  fhot  and  fhells,  that  I believe  has  not  often 
been  exceeded,  deferved  the  higheft  admiration  and 
praife.  A fuccefsful  defence,  however,  in  our  fitua- 
tion was  perhaps  impoffible,  for  the  place  could  only 
be  reckoned  an  intrenched  camp,  fubjecd:  in  moft 
places  to  enfilade,  and  the  ground  in  general  fo  dif- 
advantageous,  that  nothing  but  the  neceffity  of  forti- 
fying it  as  a pofh  to  proted:  the  navy,  could  have 
induced  any  perfon  to  ered  works  upon  it.  Our 
force  diminiffied  daily  by  ficknefs  and  other  Ioffes, 

and 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  213 

and  was  reduced  when  we  offered  to  capitulate  on 
this  fide  to  little  more  than  three  thoufand  two  hun- 
dred rank  and  file  fit  for  duty,  including  officers,  fer- 
vants,  and  artificers;  and  at  Gloucefter  about  fix 
hundred,  including  cavalry.  The  enemy’s  army  con- 
fifted  of  upwards  of  eight  thoufand  French,  nearly  as 
many  continentals,  and  five  thoufand  militia.  They 
brought  an  immenfe  train  of  heavy  artillery,  moft 
amply  furnifhed  with  ammunition,  and  perfeblly  well 
manned. 

The  conftant  and  univerfal  chearfulnefs  and  fpirit 
of  the  officers  in  all  hardlhips  and  danger,  deferve 
my  warmefl:  acknowledgments;  and  I have  been  par- 
ticularly indebted  to  Brigadier-general  O'Hara,  and 
to  Lieutenant-colonel  Abercrombie,  the  former  com- 
manding on  the  right  and  the  latter  on  the  left,  for 
their  attention  and  exertion  on  every  occafion.  The 
detachment  of  the  twenty-third  regiment  of  Marines 
in  the  redoubt  on  the  right,  commanded  by  Captain 
Apthorpe,  and  the  fubfequent  detachments  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant-colonel  Johnfon,  deferve 
particular  commendation.  Captain  Rochfort  who 
commanded  the  artillery,  and  indeed  every  officer 
and  foldier  of  that  diffinguifhed  corps;  and  Lieu- 
tenant Sutherland  the  commanding  Engineer  have 
merited  in  every  refpebt  my  higheft  approbation;  and 
I cannot  fufficiently  acknowledge  my  obligations  to 
Captain  Symonds,  who  commanded  his  Majefty’s 

fhips. 


214 


Correfpondence  relative  to  the 


fhips,  and  to  the  other  officers  and  feamen  of  the 
navy  for  their  adlive  and  zealous  co-operation. 

I tranfmit  returns  of  our  killed  and  wounded,  the 
lofs  of  feamen  and  towns  people  was  likewife  con- 
fiderable. 

I trufl:  that  your  Excellency  will  pleafe  to  haften 
the  return  of  the  Bonetta,  after  landing  her  paffen- 
gers,  in  compliance  with  the  article  of  capitulation. 

Lieutenant-colonel  Abercrombie  will  have  the 
honour  to  deliver  this  difpatch,  and  is  well  qualified 
to  explain  to  your  Excellency  every  particular  re- 
lating to  our  pafl:  and  prefent  fituation. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 

Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s Letter  to  General  IVaJhington, 
dated  Tork,  in  Virginia,  October  \~]th,  1781. 

S I R, 

I PROPOSE  a ceffiation  of  hoftilities  for  twenty 
four  hours,  and  that  two  officers  may  be  appointed 
by  each  fide,  to  meet  at  Mr.  Moore’s  houfe,  to  fettle 
terms  for  the  furrender  of  the  polls  of  York  and 
Glouceller. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


In- 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia. 


215 


Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

Copy  of  General  Wafhington  s Letter  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 
dated  Camp  before  York,  Y’jth  Odiober,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

I HAVE  had  the  honour  of  receiving  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  letter  of  this  date. 

An  ardent  defire  to  fpare  the  further  effufion  of 
blood,  will  readily  incline  me  to  liften  to  fuch  terms, 
for  the  furrender  of  your  polls  and  garrifons  at  York 
and  Gloucefler  as  are  admiffible. 

I wifh,  previous  to  the  meeting  of  Commiffioners, 
that  your  Lordfhip’s  propofals,  in  writing,  may  be 
fent  to  the  American  lines;  for  which  purpofe,  a 
fufpenhon  of  hoflilities,  during  two  hours  from  the 
delivery  of  this  letter,  will  be  granted. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis' s Letter  to  General  Wafhington, 
dated  York,  in  Virginia,  \^th  Odi.  1781.  Half  paf 
Four,  P.  M. 

S I R, 

I HAVE  this  moment  been  honoured  with  your 
Excellency’s  letter,  dated  this  day. 


The 


2 1 6 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

The  time  limited  for  fending  my  anfwer  will  not 
admit  of  entering  into  the  detail  of  articles;  but  the 
balls  of  my  propofals  will  be,  that  the  garrifons  of 
York  and  Glouceller  lhall  be  prifoners  of  war,  with 
the  cuftomary  honours.  And,  for  the  conveniency 
of  the  individuals  which  I have  the  honour  to  com- 
mand, that  the  Britilh  lhall  be  fent  to  Britain,  and 
the  Germans  to  Germany,  under  engagement  not  to 
ferve  againll  France,  America,  or  their  allies,  until 
releafed  or  regularly  exchanged.  That  all  arms  and 
public  ftores  lhall  be  delivered  up  to  you;  but  that 
the  ufual  indulgence  of  fide-arms  to  officers,  and  of 
retaining  private  property,  ffiall  be  granted  to  officers 
and  foldiers,  and  that  the  intereft  of  feveral  indi- 
viduals, in  civil  capacities  and  connebled  with  us, 
lhall  be  attended  to. 

If  your  Excellency  thinks  that  a continuance  of 
the  fufpenhon  of  hoftilities  will  be  neceffiary,  to  tranf- 
mit  your  anfwer,  I ffiall  have  no  objebtion  to  the 
hour  that  you  may  propofe. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 


Inclofed 


Defence  of  Tork^  in  Virginia. 


217 


Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

Copy  of  General  Wafhington  s Letter  to  Earl  Cornwallis, 
dated.  Camp  before  York,  \‘ith  Odlober,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

T O avoid  unneceflary  difcuffions  and  delays,  I 
fhall  at  once,  in  anfwer  to  your  Lordfhip’s  letter  of 
yefterday,  declare  the  general  bafis  upon  which  a 
definitive  treaty  of  capitulation  may  take  place. 

The  garrifons  of  York  and  Gloucefter,  including 
the  feamen,  as  you  propofe,  Ihall  be  received  prifoners 
of  war.  The  condition  annexed  of  fending  the  Britifh 
and  German  troops  to  the  parts  of  Europe  to  which 
they  refpebtively  belong,  is  inadmilfible.  Inftead  of 
this,  they  will  be  marched  to  fuch  parts  of  thecountrv 
as  can  mofi:  conveniently  provide  for  their  fubfiftence, 
and  the  benevolent  treatment  of  the  prifoners,  which 
is  invariably  obferved  by  the  Americans,  will  be  ex- 
tended to  them.  The  fame  honours  will  be  granted 
to  the  furrendering  army  as  were  granted  to  the  gar- 
rifon  of  Charles-town. 

The  fhipping  and  boats  in  the  two  harbours,  with 
all  their  guns,  ftores,  tackling,  furniture,  and  apparel, 
fhall  be  delivered,  in  their  prefent  ftate,  to  an  officer 
of  the  navy,  appointed  to  take  pofTefiion  of  them. 

The  artillery,  arms,  accoutrements,  military  cheft, 
and  public  ftores  of  every  denomination,  fhall  be 
delivered  unimpaired  to  the  heads  of  the  departments 
to  which  they  refpedively  belong. 


DD 


The 


Correspondence  relative  to  the 


218 

The  officers  ffiall  be  indulged  in  retaining  their 
fide-arms,  and  the  officers  and  foldiers  may  preferve 
their  baggage  and  effedts,  with  this  referve,  that 
property  taken  in  the  country  will  be  reclaimed. 

With  regard  to  the  individuals  in  civil  capacities, 
whofe  intereft  your  Lordffiip  wiffies  may  be  attended 
to,  until  they  are  more  particularly  defcribed,  nothing 
definitive  can  be  fettled. 

I have  to  add,  that  I expedl  the  fick  and  wounded 
will  be  fupplied  with  their  own  hofpital  fiiores,  and 
be  attended  by  Britiffi  burgeons,  particularly  charged 
with  the  care  of  them. 

Your  Lordffiip  will  be  pleafed  to  fignify  your  de- 
termination, either  to  accept  or  rejedt  the  propofals 
now  offered,  in  the  courfe  of  two  hours  from  the 
delivery  of  this  letter,  that  Commissioners  may  be 
appointed  to  digefl;  the  articles  of  capitulation,  or  a 
renewal  of  hoftilities  may  take  place. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

Copy  of  Earl  Cornwallis  s Letter  to  General  W a/hington, 
dated  York  in  Virginia,  \%th  October,  1781. 

S I R, 

I AGREE  to  open  a treaty  of  capitulation  upon 
the  bafis  of  the  garrifons  of  York  and  Gloucefter,  in- 
cluding 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  219 

eluding  feamen,  being  prifoners  of  war,  without  an- 
nexing the  condition  of  their  being  fent  to  Europe; 
but  I expedl  to  receive  a compenfation  in  the  articles 
of  capitulation  for  the  furrender  of  Gloucefter  in  its 
prefent  date  of  defence. 

I fhall,  in  particular,  defire,  that  the  Bonetta  Hoop 
of  war  may  be  left  entirely  at  my  difpofal,  from  the 
hour  that  the  capitulation  is  figned,  to  receive  an 
Aid-de-camp  to  carry  my  difpatches  to  Sir  Henrv 
Clinton.  Such  foldiers  as  I may  think  proper  to  fend 
as  paffengers  in  her,  to  be  manned  with  fifty  men  of 
her  own  crew,  and  to  be  permitted  to  fail  without 
examination,  when  my  difpatches  are  ready:  engaging, 
on  my  part,  that  the  Ihip  lhall  be  brought  back  and 
delivered  to  you,  if  fhe  efcapes  the  dangers  of  the 
fea,  that  the  crew  and  foldiers  fhall  be  accounted  for 
in  future  exchanges,  that  fhe  fhall  carry  off  no  officer 
without  your  confent,  nor  public  property  of  any 
kind;  and  I fhall  likewife  defire,  that  the  traders  and 
inhabitants  may  preferve  their  property,  and  that  no 
perfon  may  be  punifhed  or  molefted  for  having  joined 
the  Britifh  troops. 

If  you  choofe  to  proceed  to  negociation  on  theie 
grounds,  I fhall  appoint  two  field  officers  of  my  army 
to  meet  two  officers  from  you,  at  any  time  and  place 
that  you  think  proper,  to  digeff:  the  articles  of  capitu- 
lation. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

CORNWALLIS. 

Inclofed 


2 20  Correfpondence  relative  to  the 

Inclofed  in  No.  XVI. 

COPY 

OF  THE 

ARTICLES  OF  CAPITULATION, 

SETTLED  between  his  Excellency  General  Waftiington, 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  combined  forces  of  America 
and  France  — his  Excellency  the  Count  de  Rochambeau, 
Lieutenant  General  of  the  armies  of  the  King  of  France, 
Great  Crofs  of  the  royal  and  military  order  of  St.  Louis, 
commanding  the  auxiliary  troops  of  his  Moft  Chriftian 
Majefty  in  America;  and  his  Excellency  the  Count  de 
Grafle,  Lieutenant-general  of  the  naval  armies  of  his 
Moft  Chriftian  Majefty,  Commander  of  the  order  of  St. 
Louis,  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  naval  army  of  France 
in  the  Chefapeak,  on  the  one  part;  and  the  Right  Honour- 
able Earl  Cornwallis,  Lieutenant-general  of  his  Britannic 
Majefty’s  forces,  commanding  the  garrifons  of  York  and 
Gloucefter;  and  Thomas  Symonds,  Efq.  commanding  his 
Britannic  Majefty’s  naval  forces  in  York  river,  in  Virginia, 
on  the  other  part. 

ARTICLE  1. 

The  garrifons  of  York  and  Gloucefter,  including 
the  officers  and  feamen  of  his  Britannic  Majefty’s 
ffiips,  as  well  as  other  mariners,  to  furrender  them- 
felves  prisoners  of  war  to  the  combined  forces  of 
America  and  France.  The  land  troops  to  remain 
prifoners  to  the  United  States — the  navy  to  the 
naval  army  of  his  Moft  Chriftian  Majefty. 

Granted. 


ARTICLE 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  221 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  artillery,  arms,  accoutrements,  military  cheft, 
and  public  ftores  of  every  denomination,  shall  be  de- 
livered unimpaired  to  the  heads  of  departments  ap- 
pointed to  receive  them. 

Granted. 

ARTICLE  III. 

At  twelve  o’clock  this  day  the  two  redoubts  on 
the  left  flank  of  York  to  be  delivered,  the  one  to  a 
detachment  of  American  infantry,  the  other  to  a de- 
tachment of  French  grenadiers. 

Granted. 

The  garrifon  of  York  will  march  out  to  a place  to 
be  appointed  in  front  of  the  pofts,  at  two  o’clock 
precifely,  with  fhouldered  arms,  colours  cafed,  and 
drums  beating  a Britifh  or  German  march.  They 
are  then  to  ground  their  arms,  and  return  to  their 
encampments,  where  they  will  remain  until  they  are 
difpatched  to  the  places  of  their  deftination.  Two 
works  on  the  Gloucefter  flde  will  be  delivered  at  one 
o’clock  to  a detachment  of  French  and  American 
troops  appointed  to  poflefs  them.  The  garrifon 
will  march  out  at  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon;  the 
cavalry  with  their  fwords  drawn,  trumpets  founding, 
and  the  infantry  in  the  manner  prefcribed  for  the  gar- 
rifon of  York.  They  are  likewife  to  return  to  their 
encampments  until  they  can  be  finally  marched  off. 

ARTICLE 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


ARTICLE  IV. 

Officers  are  to  retain  their  Iide-arms.  Both  officers 
and  foldiers  to  keep  their  private  property  of  every 
kind;  and  no  part  of  their  baggage  or  papers  to  be 
at  any  time  fubjeft  to  fearch  or  infpedlion.  The  bag- 
gage and  papers  of  officers  and  foldiers  taken  during 
the  fiege  to  be  likewife  preferved  for  them. 

Granted. 

It  is  underftood  that  any  property  obvioully  be- 
longing to  the  inhabitants  of  these  States  in  the  pof- 
feffion  of  the  garrifon,  fhall  be  fubjedt  to  be  reclaimed. 

ARTICLE  V. 

The  foldiers  to  be  kept  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  or 
Pennfylvania,  and  as  much  by  regiments  as  poffible, 
and  fupplied  with  the  fame  rations  of  provifions  as 
are  allowed  to  foldiers  in  the  fervice  of  America.  A 
field  officer  from  each  nation,  to  wit,  Britiffi,  An- 
fpach,  and  Heffian,  and  other  officers  on  parole,  in 
the  proportion  of  one  to  fifty  men,  to  be  allowed  to 
refide  near  their  refpedlive  regiments,  to  vifit  them 
frequently,  and  be  witneffes  of  their  treatment,  and 
that  their  officers  may  receive  and  deliver  cloathing 
and  other  neceffaries  for  them,  for  which  paffports 
are  to  be  granted  when  applied  for. 

Granted. 


ARTICLE 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia. 


■223 


ARTICLE  VI. 

The  General,  Staff,  and  other  officers  not  employed, 
as  mentioned  in  the  above  articles,  and  who  choofe 
it,  to  be  permitted  to  go  on  parole  to  Europe,  to 
New-York,  or  to  any  other  American  maritime  polls 
at  prefent  in  the  poffeffion  of  the  Britiffi  forces,  at 
their  own  option,  and  proper  veffels  to  be  granted 
by  the  Count  de  Graffe  to  carry  them  under  flags  of 
truce  to  New-York  within  ten  days  from  this  date, 
if  poflible,  and  they  to  refide  in  a diftribt  to  be  agreed 
upon  hereafter,  until  they  embark. 

The  officers  of  the  civil  department  of  the  army 
and  navy  to  be  included  in  this  article.  Paffports 
to  go  by  land  to  be  granted  to  thofe  to  whom  veffels 
cannot  be  furnilhed. 

Granted. 


ARTICLE  VIE 

Officers  to  be  allowed  to  keep  foldiers  as  fervants, 
according  to  the  common  praftice  of  the  fervice. 
Servants  not  foldiers  are  not  to  be  confidered  as  pri- 
foners,  and  are  to  be  allowed  to  attend  their  mafters. 

Granted. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

The  Bonetta  floop  of  war  to  be  equipped,  and 
navigated  by  its  prefent  Captain  and  crew,  and  left 

entirely 


224  Correjfondence  relative  to  the 

entirely  at  the  difpofal  of  Lord  Cornwallis  from  the 
hour  that  the  capitulation  is  figned,  to  receive  an  Aid 
de  Camp  to  carry  difpatches  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton; 
and  fuch  foldiers  as  he  may  think  proper  to  fend  to 
New-York,  to  be  permitted  to  fail  without  examina- 
tion. When  his  difpatches  are  ready,  his  Lordfhip 
engages  on  his  part  that  the  fhip  lhall  be  delivered 
to  the  order  of  the  Count  de  Grafle,  if  fhe  efcapes 
the  dangers  of  the  fea.  That  fhe  fhall  not  carry  off 
any  public  ftores.  Any  part  of  the  crew  that  may 
be  deficient  on  her  return,  and  the  foldiers  paffengers, 
to  be  accounted  for  on  her  delivery. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

The  traders  are  to  preferve  their  property,  and  to 
be  allowed  three  months  to  difpofe  of  or  remove 
them;  and  thofe  traders  are  not  to  be  confidered  as 
prifoners  of  war. 

The  traders  will  be  allowed  to  difpofe  of  their 
effedts,  the  allied  army  having  the  right  of  pre- 
emption. The  traders  to  be  confidered  as  prifoners 
of  war  upon  parole. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Natives  or  inhabitants  of  different  parts  of  this 
country  at  prefent  in  York  or  Gloucefter,  are  not 
to  be  punifhed  on  account  of  having  joined  the 
Britifh  army. 


This 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  225 

This  article  cannot  be  aflented  to,  being  altogether 
of  civil  refort. 

ARTICLE  XL 

Proper  hofpitals  to  be  furnifhed  for  the  lick  and 
wounded.  They  are  to  be  attended  by  their  own 
furgeons  on  parole;  and  they  are  to  be  furnifhed 
with  medicines  and  llores  from  the  American  hof- 
pitals. 

The  hofpital  ftores  now  in  York  and  Gloucefter 
fhall  be  delivered  for  the  ufe  of  the  Britifh  fick  and 
wounded.  Paffports  will  be  granted  for  procuring 
them  further  fupplies  from  New-York,  as  occafion 
may  require;  and  proper  hofpitals  will  be  furnifhed 
for  the  reception  of  the  fick  and  wounded  of  the  two 
garrifons. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

Waggons  to  be  furnifhed  to  carry  the  baggage  of 
the  officers  attending  the  foldiers,  and  to  furgeons 
when  travelling  on  account  of  the  fick,  attending  the 
hofpitals  at  public  expence. 

They  are  to  be  furnifhed  if  poffible. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

The  fhipping  and  boats  in  the  two  harbours,  with 
all  their  ftores,  guns,  tackling  and  apparel,  fhall  be 
delivered  up  in  their  prefent  date  to  an  officer  of  the 
EE  navy 


226 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


navy  appointed  to  take  pofleffion  of  them,  previoufly 
unloading  the  private  property,  part  of  which  had 
been  on  board  for  fecurity  during  the  hege. 

Granted. 


ARTICLE  XIV. 

No  article  of  capitulation  to  be  infringed  on  pre- 
tence of  reprifals;  and  if  there  be  any  doubtful  ex- 
prelfions  in  it,  they  are  to  be  interpreted  according 
to  the  common  meaning  and  acceptation  of  the 
words. 

Granted. 


Done  at  York-town,  in  Virginia,  Oflober  19, 
1781. 

CORNWALLIS. 

THQs.  SYMONDS. 

Done  in  the  trenches  before  York-town,  in  Vir- 
ginia, Odober  19,  1781. 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

Le  Comte  de  ROCHAMBEAU. 
Le  Comte  de  BARRAS, 

En  mon  nom  & celui  du 

Comte  de  GRASSE. 


N U M- 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia.  121 

NUMBER  XVII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated  New-Tork, 
November  ^oth,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

AFTER  the  converfation  I had  with  your  Lord- 
fhip  (before  I fent  your  letter  to  be  publifhed)  in 
which  we  feemed  fo  perfedtly  to  agree,  I muft  beg 
your  Lorfhip’s  pardon  for  again  troubling  you  on 
the  fubjed:;  but  being  informed,  perhaps  officioully, 
that  fome  people  here  fuppofe  there  are  paffages  in 
that  letter  which  convey  an  idea,  that  you  had  been 
compelled  by  my  orders  to  take  the  poll  of  York, 
though  it  was  not  your  own  preference;  that  you  had 
reprefented  the  defeds  of  the  ground,  and  were  de- 
tained there  contrary  to  your  own  judgement;  and 
likewife  that  I had  promifed  the  exertions  of  the  navv 
before  my  letter  of  the  24th  of  September:  I am  per- 
fuaded  your  Lordfhip  will  readily  excufe  my  requeft- 
ing  a more  formal  avowal  of  your  fentiments,  left  I 
fhould  have  then  miftaken  them ; becaufe  if  that  fhould 
unfortunately  be  the  cafe,  I may  perhaps  be  under 
the  neceftity  of  taking  meafures  to  obviate  your 
letter  being  viewed  in  the  fame  light  in  England. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


22  8 Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

NUMBER  XVIII. 

Earl  Cornwallis  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  K.  B.  dated 
New-Tork,  id  December,  1781,  • 

S I R, 

YESTERDAY  afternoon  I was  honoured  with 
your  Excellency’s  letter  dated  the  30th  November. 

I do  not  recolledl:  that  any  converfation  pafled  be- 
tween us  the  other  day,  before  the  publication  of  my 
letter,  relative  to  my  reafons  for  taking  poflefTion  of 
the  pofts  of  York  and  Gloucefter;  but  in  my  anfwer 
to  your  difpatches,  dated  the  8th  and  iith  July, 
diredling  me  fo  pofitively  to  poffefs  a harbour  in  the 
Chefapeak  for  line  of  battle  fhips,  your  Excellency 
will  fee,  that  after  finding  that  works  on  Point  Com- 
fort could  not  protebl  a naval  force  in  Hampton 
Road,  I thought  that  I adted  in  ftridl  obedience  to 
your  orders  by  taking  poffeffion  of  thefe  pofts.  I 
thought  it  unneceflary  to  enter  into  a minute  detail 
of  the  difadvantages  of  the  ground,  either  on  my  firft 
examination  of  it  in  the  month  of  June,  or  on  my 
return  to  it  in  Auguft;  becaufe  on  the  firft  occafion, 
as  I have  already  had  the  honour  of  explaining  to 
your  Excellency,  I did  not,  after  feeing  it,  entertain, 
for  a moment,  an  idea  of  occupying  it,  not  thinking 
myfelf  at  liberty,  by  the  inftrudlions  under  which  I 
then  aded,  to  d tain  the  greateft  part  of  the  force  in 
Virginia  for  the  purpofe  of  fecuring  a harbour  for 

fhips 


Defence  of  York^  in  Virginia.  229 

fhips  of  the  line;  and  on  my  return  to  it  in  Auguft 
I thought  it  then  became  my  duty  to  make  the  beft 
ot  it  I could,  having  no  other  harbour  to  propofe  in 
its  place. 

In  regard  to  the  promife  of  the  exertions  of  the 
navy  previous  to  your  letter  of  the  24th  of  September, 
I can  only  repeat  what  I had  the  honour  of  faying  to 
your  Excellency  in  the  converfation  to  which  you  al- 
lude, that  without  any  particular  engagements  for  the 
navy  before  that  date,  all  your  letters  held  out  uni- 
formly hopes  of  relief,  and  that  I had  no  reafon  from 
any  of  them  to  fuppofe  that  you  had  loft  fight  of  the 
polTibility  of  elfecfting  it;  and  that  under  thefe  hopes, 
after  ferious  refledion,  I did  not  think  that  it  would 
have  been  juftifiable  in  me  to  abandon  thefe  pofts  with 
our  numerous  fick,  artillery,  ftores,  and  Ihipping;  or 
to  rilk  an  adion  which,  in  all  probability,  would,  in 
in  its  confequences,  have  precipitated  the  lofs  of  them. 

My  letter  from  York,  dated  the  20th  of  Oftober, 
was  written  under  great  agitation  of  mind,  and  in 
great  hurry,  being  conftantly  interrupted  by  numbers 
of  people  coming  upon  bufinefs  or  ceremony;  but 
my  intention  in  writing  that  letter  was  to  explain  the 
motives  that  influenced  my  own  condu6t,  and  to 
narrate  the  incidents  that  preceded  the  extremity  that 
forced  us  to  furrender. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 


CORNWALLIS. 

N U M- 


230 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


NUMBER  XIX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated 
New-York^  December  2,  1781. 

MY  LORD, 

AS  your  Lordfhip  is  pleafed,  in  your  letter  ot 
this  day,  to  revert  to  the  circumftance  of  your  quit- 
ting the  Williamfburg-neck,  and  re-paffing  the  James- 
river,  fo  contrary  to  the  intentions  I wifhed  to  exprefs 
in  my  letters  of  the  nth  and  15th  June,  and  thofe 
referred  to  by  them,  and  which  I thought  they  would 
have  clearly  explained,  your  Lordfhip  will,  I hope, 
have  the  goodnefs  to  forgive  me,  if  I once  more  re- 
peat, that  I am  of  opinion,  if  thofe  letters  had  been 
properly  underftood  by  your  Lordfhip,  you  would 
at  leaft  have  hefitated  before  you  adopted  that  mea- 
fure.  For  I humbly  prefume,  that  it  will  appear 
upon  a re-perufal  of  them,  that  it  was  my  defire  to 
recomimend  to  your  Lordfhip  the  taking  a healthy 
defenfive  ftation,  either  at  Williamfburg  or  York; 
and,  after  keeping  what  troops  you  might  want  for 
the  ample  defence  of  fuch  a pofi,  and  defultory  move- 
ments by  water,  to  fend  me  fuch  a proportion  of  the 
corps  (mentioned  in  a lift)  as  you  could  fpare,  taking 
them  in  the  fucceflion  they  are  there  placed  in.  — 
Your  Lordfhip,  on  the  contrary,  underftood  thefe 


as 


Defence  of  York,  in  Virginia. 


231 


as  conveying  a pofitive  order  to  fend  me  three 
thoufand  men,  (by  which,  you  fay,  your  force  would 
have  been  reduced  to  about  two  thoufand  four  hun- 
dred rank  and  file  fit  for  duty,  having,  it  is  prefumed, 
above  one  thoufand  five  hundred  fick)  and  was  pleafed 
to  tell  me  in  your  anfwer,  that  you  could  not,  con- 
fiftent  with  my  plans,  make  fafe  defenfive  polls  at 
York  and  Glouceller,  both  of  which  would  be  necef- 
fary  for  the  proteblion  of  fhipping,  and  that  you 
fhould  immediately  re-pafs  James-river,  and  take 
meafures  for  complying  with  my  requifition, 

I own,  my  Lord,  that  my  opinion  of  the  obvious 
meaning  of  the  letters  referred  to  continues  Hill  the 
fame;  and  I am  forty  to  find,  by  the  letter  you  have 
now  honoured  me  with,  that  it  differs  fo  widely  from 
your  Lordfhip’s.  It  is  plain,  however,  we  cannot 
both  be  in  the  right. 

My  letter  of  the  iith  of  July  diredls  your  Lord- 
fhip  to  fortify  Old  Point  Comfort  in  the  mouth  of 
James  river,  with  the  intention  of  fecuring  Hampton 
road,  which  the  Admiral  recommended  as  the  bell 
naval  ftation,  and  requelled  I would  occupy.  But 
your  Lordfhip’s  letter  of  the  27th  informs  me  you 
had  examined  Old  Point  Comfort  with  the  officers 
of  the  navy  and  the  engineers,  and  that  you  were  all 
of  opinion  a poft  there  would  not  anfwer  the  pur- 
pofe,  and  that  you  fhould,  in  compliance  with  the 
fpirit  of  my  orders,  feize  York  and  Gloucefter,  being 
the  only  harbour  in  which  you  could  hope  to  be  able 

to 


232  Correjpondence  relative  to  the 

to  give  effeftual  proteftion  to  line  of  battle  fhips. 
Suppofing,  therefore,  of  courfe,  that  your  Lordfhip 
approved  in  every  refpedt  of  York  and  Gloucefter, 
from  the  preference  you  had  thus  given  them  to  the 
poll  I had  recommended,  I did  not  oppofe  the  choice 
you  had  made,  having  never  received  the  lead:  hint 
from  your  Lordlhip  that  the  ground  of  York  was 
unfavourable,  or  liable  to  be  enfiladed  till  after  you 
had  capitulated. 

With  refpebl  to  your  Lordfhip’s  having  been  in- 
fluenced in  your  condu<5t  by  the  hopes  of  relief, 
(which  you  fay  was  uniformly  held  out  to  you  in 
all  my  letters)  your  Lordfhip  cannot  be  infenfible, 
that  the  poifibility  of  effebling  it  muff  have  entirely 
depended  upon  the  exertions  of  the  navy;  which, 
as  I was  not  authorifed  to  promife  before  the  24th 
of  September,  I am  perfuaded  your  Lordfhip  will 
readily  acknowledge,  that  if  your  letter  of  the  20th 
of  Oblober  implies  I had  done  fo  before  that  period, 
the  implication  cannot  be  fupported  by  any  thing  I 
wrote  previous  to  my  letter  of  that  date,  which  you 
received  on  the  29th. 

As,  therefore,  my  letters  of  the  2d  and  6th  of 
September,  which  promife  only  my  own  exertions, 
did  not  reach  your  Lordfhip  before  the  13th  and 
14th  of  that  month,  and  you  did  not  before  then 
know  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood’s  arrival,  or  of  Mr. 
Graves  having  more  than  feven  fail  of  the  line  to 
combat  Monfieur  de  Graffe’s  force,  which  on  the 


Defence  of  Tork^  in  Virginia.  233 

29th  of  Auguft  you  had  heard  confided  of  at  leafl; 
twenty-five  fail  of  the  line;  your  Lordfhip,  confe- 
quentlyj  could  have  no  hopes  of  relief  before  that 
time;  and,  with  refpebt  to  your  efcape  to  New-York 
immediately  on  the  arrival  of  General  Wafhington’s 
troops  at  Williamfburg,  which  your  letter  of  the 
20th  of  Oblober  implies  you  were  prevented  from 
undertaking  by  the  receipt  of  mine  of  the  24th  of 
September,  I mud  beg  leave  to  obferve,  that  if  it 
had  been  ever  prablicable  after  the  time  your  Lord- 
fhip mentions  (which  I am  free  to  own  I do  not 
think  it  was)  it  mud  have  been  between  that  period 
and  the  time  of  the  enemy’s  force  appearing  before 
your  lines.  It  may,  therefore,  be  prefumed  you 
could  not  have  been  prevented  by  any  thing  I faid 
in  that  letter,  as  you  did  not  receive  it  until  after 
the  latter  event  took  place.  But  I readily  admit, 
my  Lord,  that  none  of  my  letters  could  give  you 
the  lead  reafon  to  fuppofe  that  an  attempt  would 
not  be  made  to  fuccour  you. 

Your  Lordfhip  will,  I am  perfuaded,  alfo  forgive 
me,  if  I again  take  notice  of  the  too  pofitive  manner 
in  which  you  are  pleafed  to  fpeak  of  the  opinion  I 
gave  you  about  the  failing  of  the  fieet,  as  my  words 
were  “There  is  every  reafon  to  hope  we  fhall  dart 
“from  hence  about  the  5th  of  Odtober.”  — And,  in 
my  letter  of  the  next  day,  for  fear  that  diould  ap- 
pear too  pofitive,  I fay,  “it  is  fuppofed  the  neceffary 
“repairs  of  the  deet  will  detain  us  here  to  the  5th  of 
FF  “next 


234 


Correjpondence  relative  to  the 


“next  month ; — but  your  Lordfhip  muft  be  fenhble, 
“that  unforefeen  accidents  may  lengthen  it  out  a day 
“or  two  longer.” 

With  regard  to  entrenching  tools,  the  want  of 
which  your  Lordfhip  complains  fo  much  of,  I can 
only  fay,  that  by  the  returns  made  to  me  by  the 
Adjutant-general,  it  appears  that  two  thoufand  five 
hundred  had  been  fent  to  the  Chefapeak  by  the 
engineer  fince  General  Arnold’s  expedition  inclu- 
five;  and  that  the  firft  moment  a requifition  was 
made  for  more,  (which  was  not  before  the  23d 
of  Auguft)  I ordered  an  additional  fupply  to  be 
fent,  which  were  prevented  from  going  by  the 
arrival  of  the  French  fleet.  I own,  however, 
that  I was  not  at  that  time  very  uneafy  on  this 
fcore,  as  I fuppofed  it  pofiible  for  your  Lord- 
fhip to  have  colledled  a fufficiency  from  the  neigh- 
bouring plantations  any  time  before  the  invefliture 
was  began. 

December  10.  I had  wrote  thus  far,  my  Lord, 
immediately  after  the  receipt  of  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter  of  this  date;  but,  confidering  that  it  was  pof- 
fible  you  might  not  have  adverted  to  the  impli- 
cations which  your  letter  of  the  20th  of  Odlober 
may  be  thought  to  bear,  from  the  great  agitation 
of  mind  and  hurry  in  which  you  tell  me  it  was 
written,  I was  unwilling  to  give  you  at  that  time 
more  trouble  on  the  fubjeft,  — in  the  honeft  hope, 
that  your  Lordfhip’s  candour  will  induce  you  moft 

formally 


Defence  of  Tork^  in  Virginia.  235 

formally  to  difavow  your  having  any  fuch  inten- 
tions by  writing  that  letter,  in  cafe  you  find,  on 
your  arrival  in  England,  that  the  palTages  of  it 
which  I have  taken  notice  of  are  underftood  as  I 
fufpedt  they  may  be; — and  I therefore  intended 
to  have  fent  this  letter  to  a friend  to  be  delivered 
to  you  in  London.  But,  upon  re-confidering  your 
letter  of  the  2d  inftant,  which  I have  had  more  leifure 
to  do  fince  my  public  difpatches  were  clofed,  I am 
of  opinion  that  it  is  properer  your  Lordfhip  fhould 
receive  my  anfwer  to  it  here. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


P.  S.  Having  forgot  to  fpeak  to  the  part  of  your 
Lordlhip’s  letter  of  the  2d  inftant,  when  you  fay, 
“ I do  not  recoiled:  that  any  converfation  palTed 
“ between  us  the  other  day,  before  the  publication 
“ of  my  letter  relative  to  my  reafons  for  taking  pof- 
“ feffion  of  the  pofts  of  York  and  Gloucefter,”  I beg 
leave  to  do  it  here. 

It  is  true,  my  Lord,  no  converfation  paffed  from 
your  Lordfhip  on  that  fubjed.  But  when,  in  the 
converfation  alluded  to,  I mentioned  that  I had 
direded  you  to  examine  Old  Point  Comfort  and 

fortify 


236 


Correjpondence,  ^c. 


fortify  it,  but  that  difapproving  of  that  poft,  you  had 
feized  York,  — and  that,  therefore,  York  was  your 
Lordlhip’s  preference;  as  you  were  pleafed  not  to 
make  me  any  anfwer,  I took  it  for  granted  you 
agreed  with  me. 


number 


XX. 


[To  fice  p.  j)6. 


Under 


STATE  of  the  TROOPS  in  V 
the  COMMAND  of  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 


R G I N I A, 

EARL  CORNWALLIS. 


RANK  AND  FILE  PRESENT.  AND  FIT  FOR  DUTY. 


h 

BRITISH. 

GERMAN. 

rROVINCIAL. 

Total  of  the  preceding 

DETACHMENTS  NOT  INCLUDED. 

TOTAL. 

1 < 

' a 

1 

sf.i 

1 3 

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Brigade  of 
Guards. 

Seventeenth 

Regiment. 

Twenty-third 

Regiment. 

Thirty-third 

Regiment. 

Forty-third 

Regiment. 

Scvcnty-hrli 

Regiment, 

Second  Battalion. 

i.£ 

Eightieth  Regi-  , 

Anfpich. 

Hefliin. 

Queen's  Ranger*. 

British  Legion. 

< 

1 Gertnin  Artillery  1 

1 Seventeenth 

Light  Dragoons.  \ 

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310 

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CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN 

Gen.  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF, 

AND 

Lieut.  Gen.  Earl  CORNWALLIS. 


PART  VI. 

LETTERS  FROM  SIR  HENRY  CLINTON,  K.  B. 
TO  EARL  CORNWALLIS. 

DELIVERED  AT  NEW -YORK  A MONTH  AFTER  EARL 

Cornwallis’s  surrender. 


NUMBER  I. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New  York,  Auguji  'id,  1781. 

[Received  from  the  Secretary  at  New  York,  Nov.  19,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I WAS  laft  night  honoured  with  your  Lordihip’s 
letters  of  the  24th  and  27th  ultimo,  by  Captain 
Stapleton;  and  it  gives  me  no  fmall  concern  to  ob- 
ferve  by  the  tenor  of  them,  that  you  are  difpleafed 
with  the  opinions  I took  the  liberty  of  giving  in  my 

letter 


23  8 Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 


letter  of  the  29th  May,  refpefting  the  probable 
confequences  of  your  retreat  from  Crofs  Creek  to 
Wilmington,  and  march  from  thence  to  Peterfburg; 
and  with  what  I faid  to  your  Lordfliip  in  my  letters 
of  the  8th  and  iith  of  laft  month,  on  your  defign 
of  abandoning  the  Williamfburg  Neck,  and  retiring 
with  your  army  to  Portfmouth.  Therefore,  as  it 
was  not  my  intention  to  give  offence,  and  is  ex- 
tremely my  wifli  to  be  properly  underftood  by  your 
Lordfhip,  I requeft  your  attention  for  a few  moments 
to  the  following  elucidation  of  my  fentiments  on  both 
thofe  fubjedts. 

The  high  opinion  I entertained  of  your  Lordfhip’s 
military  talents,  and  the  refpedl  I had  for  your  fitu- 
ation  as  fecond  to  myfelf,  induced  me,  from  the 
moment  you  took  charge  of  a feparate  command,  to 
leave  you  at  full  liberty  to  adl  in  it  as  you  judged 
beft  for  the  King’s  fervice.  And  I am  perfuaded 
your  Lordfhip  is  not  infenhble  that  I conftantly 
purfued  this  line  of  condudt  towards  you  during  all 
your  operations  in  the  Carolinas;  aiming  at  no  other 
merit  than  that  of  diligently  attending  to  your  wants 
and  fupplying  them; — whilft  I was  content  to  re- 
main here  myfelf,  upon  the  very  confined  defenfive, 
to  which  I was  reduced,  by  the  large  detachments 
I had  fent  to  the  fouthward  in  fupport  of  your  pro- 

Although  your  Lordfhip  was,  as  you  have  obfer- 
ved  fubjedted  by  this  means  to  a certain  degree  of 

anxiety 


“To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


239 

anxiety  and  refponfibility ; it  does  not  appear  that  I 
was  exonerated  of  my  ihare  of  them.  I could  not, 
therefore,  but  be  perfonally  and  anxioufly  interefted 
in  your  fuccefles  and  difappointments.  And,  though 
I have  a refpebt  for  your  Lordlhip’s  judgment,  and 
am  apt  to  doubt  my  own  when  it  differs  from  it; 
yet  it  is  certainly  a duty  I owe  to  my  llation  as 
Commander  in  Chief,  to  exprefs  my  diffent  from 
any  meafure  your  Lordfhip  adopts,  when  I appre- 
hend that  the  confequences  may  be  prejudicial.  This, 
my  Lord,  being  the  cafe  with  refped:  to  the  move 
taken  notice  of  in  my  letter  of  the  29th  May  (and 
I moft  lincerely  wifh  experience  had  convinced  me  I 
was  miftaken)  I immediately  communicated  to  your 
Lordfhip  my  fentiments  of  the  event,  and  how  I 
thought  it  might  have  been  obviated.  In  thefe  it 
feems  I am  not  fo  fortunate  to  have  your  concur- 
rence. But  I muft  confefs  they  are  not  the  lead  al- 
tered by  your  Lordfhip’s  arguments;  being  ftill  of 
opinion,  that,  under  the  circumftances  in  which  you 
defcribe  your  troops  to  be,  you  could  have  fallen 
back  from  Croffcreek  to  the  Pedee,  with  much 
greater  eafe  and  fafety,  than  you  could  have  marched 
double  the  diftance  to  Wilmington,  through  a coun- 
try which  you  report  to  be  entirely  hoftile;  and  I 
fhould  fuppofe  Lord  Rawdon  might  have  moved  to 
the  Pedee  without  interruption  to  join  you,  with 
every  refrefhment  your  army  wanted;  as  there  does 
not  appear,  to  have  been  at  that  time,  an  enemy  be- 
tween 


240  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

tween  that  river  and  Camden;  and  before  you  reached 
the  Pedee,  the  country  would  probably  have  been  fo 
opened,  that  your  orders  for  that  purpofe  might  have 
got  to  his  Lordfhip  with  as  much  expedition  and 
fafety,  as  your  note  did  from  Guildford  after  the  battle. 

And  with  refpedt  to  your  Lordfhip’s  fubfequent 
move,  I hope  you  will  pardon  me  if  I continue  to 
diflent  from  the  policy  of  the  meafure,  tho’  you 
happily  furmounted  the  danger  of  it;  as  I fear  the 
advantages  refulting  from  your  junflion  with  the 
Chefapeak  army  will  not  compenfate  the  Ioffes  which 
immediately  followed  your  quitting  Carolina,  — not- 
withftanding  General  Greene’s  wifhes  to  the  contrary ; 
which,  I apprehend,  meant  nothing  more  than  a gaf- 
conade,  to  boaft  the  fuccefs  he  expefled  from  a fecond 
adtion  with  your  Lordfhip’s  army,  in  cafe  it  had 
diredled  its  fleps  towards  him  inftead  of  Virginia. 

I hope  your  Lordfhip  will  likewife  excufe  me  for 
expreffmg  the  uneafinefs  I feel  at  the  obfervation  you 
make  refpedting  my  opinion  of  the  Virginia  force; 
becaufe  it  feems  to  convey  an  infinuation,  which  I 
am  not  confcious  of  deferving.  And  I trufl;,  that  as 
I know  myfelf  to  be  incapable  of  wrefting  opinions 
to  ferve  particular  purpofes,  it  will  appear,  that  what 
I have  faid  at  different  periods,  on  that  or  any  other 
fubjedt,  has  been  perfedlly  confonant  and  candidly 
what  I thought.  I beg  leave,  therefore,  to  contrail 
with  each  other  what  I have  faid,  in  this  and  my 
other  letters,  on  the  force  of  Virginia;  and  I requeft 

your 


'To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


241 


your  Lordfhip  will  be  pleafed  to  point  out  the  im- 
propriety which  gave  rife  to  that  obfervation. 

In  the  letter  your  Lordfhip  quotes,  I fay,  “I 
fhould  not  have  thought  even  the  one  under  Major- 
general  Phillips  in  fafety,  at  Peterfburgh,  at  leaf!  for 
fo  long  a time.”  In  the  one  of  June  8th,  “Your 
Lordfhip  will  fee  by  La  Fayette’s  letter,  that  you 
have  little  more  oppofed  to  you  than  his  corps,  and 
an  unarmed  militia.”  And  in  that  of  June  iith, 
“where,  as  appears  by  the  intercepted  letters  of 
Wafhington  and  La  Fayette,  they  are  in  no  fituation 
to  ftand  againfh  even  a divifion  of  that  army.  And 
your  Lordfhip  may  poffibly  have  oppofed  to  you 
from  1500  to  2000  Continentals,  and  (as  La  Fayette 
obferves)  a fmall  body  of  ill  armed  peafantry,  full  as 
fpiritlefs  as  the  militia  of  the  Southern  Provinces, 
and  without  any  fervice.”  At  the  period  alluded  to 
in  the  firft  letter.  General  Phillips  was  at  Peterfburg 
with  only  2000  men,  uncovered  by  works.  Fayette 
was  oppofed  to  him  with  his  own  corps,  Steuben, 
Muhlenberg,  &c.  and  all  the  militia  of  the  province, 
and  expebled  to  be  foon  joined  by  Wayne  with  the 
Pennfylvania  line.  I therefore  certainly  had  caufe 
to  be  apprehenhve  for  General  Phillips’s  corps,  in 
cafe  Greene  had,  on  hearing  of  your  Lordfhip’s  move 
from  Wilmington,  fallen  back,  and  calling  La  Fayette 
to  him,  placed  himfelf  with  their  united  force  between 
your  Lordfhip’s  and  the  Peterfburg  army,  ready  to 
ftrike  at  either,  as  it  fuited  his  purpofe.  But  when 
GG  the 


242  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

the  other  letters  were  written,  my  opinion  of  the 
'\’^irginia  force  was  formed  from  the  Rebel  letters  juft 
intercepted,  which  fully  defcribed  the  ftate  of  their 
arms  and  their  numbers.  I therefore  cannot  difcover, 
that  they  Ihew  I thought  at  different  periods  more  or 
lefs  favourably  of  it,  but  as  I was  warranted  to  do  by 
matter  of  fabt,  and  the  intelligence  I received. 

To  give  a full  and  fatisfadtory  anfwer  to  your 
Lordfhip’s  letter  of  the  27th  July,  will  perhaps  take 
up  more  time  than  you  or  I can  well  fpare.  But,  as 
your  Lordfhip  appears  to  be  greatly  alfedted  by  the 
contents  of  my  letters  of  the  8th  and  iith  ultimo,  I 
think  it  a duty  I owe  to  your  feelings  and  my  own, 
to  fay  fomething  in  explanation  of  them.  I muft 
therefore  beg  your  Lordfhip’s  patience,  while  I ftate 
the  fubftance  of  my  correfpondence  with  General 
Phillips  and  yourfelf,  concerning  the  ftations  to  be 
held,  and  operations  to  be  carried  on  in  Chefapeak, 
&c.  which,  I prefume,  will  at  leaft  prove,  that  I 
fpared  no  pains  to  explain  my  defires  to  your  Lord- 
fhip, though  I have,  perhaps,  unhappily  failed  in 
making  them  underftood. 

My  inftrudlions  to  General  Phillips,  as  quoted  by 
your  Lordfhip,  gave  him  a power  to  take  pofleffion 
of  York  Town,  or  Old  Point  Comfort,  as  a ftation 
for  large  fhips,  if  the  Admiral  fhould  difapprove  of 
Portfmouth,  and  require  one.  In  my  letters  to  that 
General  Officer,  of  24th  of  March  and  1 1 th  of  April, 
I defired  his  opinion  refpedling  the  poft  of  Portf- 
mouth, 


'To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


243 


mouth,  and  fuch  others  as  he  propofed  to  eftablifh 
on  James  River;  with  their  importance  confidered, 
either  as  alTifting  your  Lordfhip’s  operations,  or  con- 
nected with  thofe  of  the  navy : and,  after  having  re- 
ceived that  opinion,  I told  him,  “that  Portfmouth 
was  by  no  means  my  choice;”  and  left  him  at  liberty 
to  change  it  if  he  faw  proper.  And  the  fubftance  of 
the  converfations  with  him,  as  extracted  by  your 
Lordfhip,  go  more  fully  into  the  advantage  of  a naval 
ftation,  pointing  particularly  to  the  one  at  York  — 
being  led  to  the  conhderation  of  its  utility  by  the 
French  having,  two  winters  ago,  Iheltered  their  fhips 
underworks  thrown  up  there.  And,  as  I have  already 
mentioned  to  your  Lordfhip,  General  Arnold  has 
fince  told  me,  that  from  the  defcription  given  him  of 
it  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Simcoe,  he  judged  2000 
men  would  be  ample  for  its  defence. 

From  hence,  my  Lord,  I prefume  it  will  appear, 
that  I very  early  entertained  thoughts  of  a ftation  in 
Chefapeak  for  large  fhips;  and  I referred  your  Lord- 
fhip, in  my  letter  of  the  29th  May,  to  my  corre- 
fpondence,  &c.  with  General  Phillips,  in  your  pof- 
feffion,  for  my  ideas  on  that  and  other  operations 
which  I had  in  view  — leaving  you  at  liberty,  how- 
ever, to  follow  them  or  your  own,  as  you  judged 
beft  for  the  King’s  fervice.  Having  therefore,  after- 
wards feen  by  your  Lordfhip’s  difpatches  of  the  26th 
of  May,  that  you  had  confidered  the  papers  referred 
to;  and  that,  though  you  did  not  think  it  expedient 

to 


244  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton^  K.  B. 

to  attend  to  Mr.  Alexander’s  propofal,  and  the  ex- 
pedition againft  the  flores  at  Philadelphia,  you  had 
the  fame  objections  to  Portfmouth  which  had  been 
before  ftated,  and  was  inclined  to  think  well  of  York 
as  a proper  harbour  and  place  of  arms;  I naturally 
concluded  that  your  Lordfhip  had  entirely  con- 
curred with  me,  not  only  as  to  the  propriety  of  lay- 
ing hold  of  a naval  ftation  fomewhere  on  the  Wil- 
liamlburg  Neck,  but  as  to  the  place.  And  I of 
courfe  fuppofed,  that  your  Lordfhip  would  fet  about 
eftablifhing  yourfelf  there  immediately  on  your  re- 
turn from  Richmond,  which  I expeCled  would  be  in 
three  or  four  days  after  the  date  of  your  letter. 
Wherefore,  imagining  you  were  confiderably  ad- 
vanced in  your  works  (for  I had  no  letter  afterwards 
from  your  Lordfhip  until  the  one  you  honoured  me 
with  of  the  30th  June)  I ventured  to  folicit  you  for 
a part  of  your  force  to  alfift  me  in  the  operations  I 
propofed  carrying  on  in  this  quarter  during  the  fum- 
mer  months  — when  thofe  of  the  Chefapeak  muft 
have  probably  ceafed.  And  in  doing  this,  as  I was 
totally  in  the  dark  with  refpeCt  to  what  was  then 
doing  in  the  Chefapeak,  I endeavoured,  as  much  as 
lay  in  my  power,  to  avoid  all  poffibility  of  interrupt- 
ing the  moves  you  might  be  engaged  in,  or  any  objeCt 
you  might  have  in  view  — as  will,  I doubt  not,  be 
manifeft  from  the  following  extracts  from  my  letters 
to  your  Lordfhip,  which  I beg  leave  to  fubmit  once 
more  to  your  conhderation. 


May 


To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


245 


May  29th.  — “I  would  rather  content  myfelf  with 
ever  fo  bare  a defenfive  (until  there  was  an  appear- 
ance of  ferious  operation  againft  me)  than  cramp 
yours  in  the  lead.” 

June  8th.  — “You  will  fee  by  Fayette’s  letter,  you 
have  little  more  oppofed  to  you,  &c.  — Your  Lord- 
fhip  can  therefore  certainly  fpare  2000,  and  the  fooner 
they  come  the  better,  &c.  Had  it  been  polTible  for 
your  Lordfhip  to  have  let  me  know  your  views  and 
intentions,  I Ihould  not  now  be  at  a lofs  to  judge  of 
the  force  you  might  want  for  your  operations.  Igno- 
rant, therefore,  as  I am  of  them,  I can  only  trull, 
that  as  your  Lordfhip  will  fee  by  the  inclofed  inter- 
cepted letters,  my  call  for  a reinforcement  is  not  a 
wanton  one;  you  will  fend  me  what  you  can  fpare  as 
foon  as  may  be  expedient.  For,  fhould  your  Lord- 
fhip be  engaged  in  a move  of  fuch  importance  as  to 
require  the  employment  of  your  whole  force,  I would 
by  no  means  wifh  to  ftarve  or  obftrudt  it.  But  in 
that  cafe,  would  rather  endeavour  to  wait  a little 
longer,  until  my  occahons  grow  more  urgent,  or  your 
htuation  admits  of  your  detaching.  Of  which,  how- 
ever, I requeft  to  be  informed  with  all  polTible  dif- 
patch.” 

N.  B.  This  letter  was  written  immediately  after 
I had  known  the  enemy’s  defigns  of  attacking  this 
place;  and  fhould  therefore  be  confidered  as  tho- 
roughly defcriptive  of  the  nature  of  my  wifhes  for  a 
reinforcement. 


June 


246  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

June  nth.  — ‘‘I  fhall  of  courfe  approve  of  any 
alterations  your  Lordfhip  may  think  proper  to  make 
with  refpecfl  to  the  flations  I propofed  taking  in  York 
or  James  Rivers,  &c.” — “Thus  circumftanced,  I am 
perfuaded  your  Lordfhip  will  be  of  opinion,  that  the 
fooner  I concentrate  my  force,  the  better.  There- 
fore, (unlefs  your  Lordfhip,  after  the  receipt  of  my 
letters  of  the  29th  May  and  8th  inft.  fhould  incline 
to  agree  with  me  in  opinion,  and  judge  it  right  to 
adopt  my  ideas  refpedting  the  move  to  Baltimore, 
or  the  Delaware  Neck;)  I beg  leave  to  recommend 
it  to  you,  as  foon  as  you  have  finifhed  the  aftive 
operations  you  may  be  now  engaged  in,  to  take  a 
defenfive  flation  in  any  healthy  fituation  you  chufe 
(be  it  at  Williamfburg  or  York  Town :)  and  I would 
wifh  in  that  cafe,”  (that  is,  after  you  have  fecured 
fuch  a flation)  “that  after  referving  to  yourfelf  fuch 
troops  as  you  judge  neceffary  for  an  ample  defenfive, 
and  defultory  movements  by  water,  &c.  the  follow- 
ing corps  may  be  fent  me,  in  fucceffion  as  you  can 
fpare  them. 

June  15th.  “I  delay  not  a moment  to  difpatch 
a runner  with  a duplicate  of  my  letter  of  the  nth 
infiant;  and  as  I am  led  to  fuppofe  from  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  letter  of  the  26th  ultimo,  that  you  may  not 
think  it  expedient  to  adopt  the  operations  I had  re- 
commended in  the  Upper  Chefapeak,  and  will  by 
this  time  probably  have  finifhed  thofe  you  were  en- 
gaged in,”  (in  which  furely  the  fecuring  defenfive 

flations 


To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


247 


ftations  is  obvioufly  implied)  “I  requeft  you  will 
immediately  embark  a part  of  the  troops  ftated  in 
the  letter  inclofed,  (beginning  with  the  Light  In- 
fantry) and  fend  them  to  me  with  the  greateft  dif- 
patch.  I lhall  likewife  in  proper  time  folicit  the 
Admiral  to  fend  fome  more  tranfports  to  the  Chefa- 
peak;  in  which  your  Lordfhip  will  pleafe  to  fend 
hither  the  remaining  troops  you  judge  can  be  fpared 
from  the  defence  of  the  polls  you  may  occupy;  as  I 
do  not  think  it  advifeable  to  leave  more  troops  in 
that  unhealthy  climate  at  this  feafon  of  the  year, 
than  what  are  abfolutely  wanted  for  a defenlive  and 
defultory  water  excurfion,” 

June  19.  “I  am,  however,  perfuaded  they  will 
attempt  the  invelliture  of  the  place;  I therefore 
heartily  wifh  I was  more  in  force,  that  I might  be 
able  to  take  advantage  of  any  falfe  movements  they 
may  make  in  forming  it.”  Should  your  Lordfhip 
have  any  folid  operations  to  propofe,  or  have  ap- 
proved of  the  one  mentioned  in  my  former  letters, 
I fhall  not,  as  I have  already  told  you,  prefs  you  for 
the  corps  I wilhed  to  have  fent  me,  at  leaf!  for  the 
prefent.  But  if  in  the  approaching  inclement  feafon, 
your  Lordfhip  fhould  not  think  it  prudent  to  under- 
take operation  with  the  troops  you  have,  &c.  I can- 
not but  wifh,  for  their  fake,  if  I had  no  other  motive, 
that  you  would  fend  me  as  foon  as  poflible  what  you 
can  fpare  from  a refpeftable  defenlive.  And  that 
your  Lordfhip  may  better  judge  what  I mean  by  a 

refpebtable 


248  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

refpeftable  defenfive,  it  is  neceflary  to  inform  you, 
that  other  intelligence  (befides  Monfieur  Barras’ 
letter)  makes  it  highly  probable  that  Monfieur  De 
Grade  will  vidt  this  coaft  in  the  hurricane  feafon, 
and  bring  with  him  troops  as  well  as  fhips.  But 
when  he  hears  your  Lordfhip  has  taken  polTeflion  of 
York-river  before  him,  &c.  (which  in  other  words 
certainly  means  your  defenfive  is  required  to  be  more 
particularly  refpeftable,  as  De  Grade  is  expeded  to 
come  foon  with  a confiderable  armament  to  the  Che- 
fapeak,  where  he  will  probably  feize  a ftation  for  his 
large  fhips  in  York-river;  but  as  it  appears  to  be 
your  Lordfhip’s  intention  to  take  poffedion  of  that 
pod;,  I think  he  will,  upon  hearing  you  have  done 
fo,  relinquifh  the  dedgn,  and  join  the  force  alfem- 
bling  againft  this  place.)  “In  the  hope  that  your 
Lordfhip  will  be  able  to  fpare  me  three  thoufand 
men,  I have  fent  two  thoufand  tons  of  tranfports, 
&c.”  But  fhould  your  Lordfhip  not  be  able  to 
fpare  the  whole,  &c.” 

Thefe  letters,  my  Lord,  are  each  a link  of  the 
fame  chain,  and,  collectively  or  feparately,  were  in- 
tended to  fpeak  the  fame  language.  The  dmple  and 
obvious  meaning  of  which  I humbly  prefume  to  be 
this. 

I find  your  Lordfhip  does  not  think  it  expedient 
to  undertake  the  operations  I propofed,  and  you 
have  none  of  your  own  in  contemplation;  and  it 
being  probable  you  have  made  your  arrangements  for 

changing 


T'o  Earl  Cornwallis. 


249 


changing  the  poll  of  Portfmouth,  which  you  dillike, 
and  have  finilhed  your  defenfive  on  the  Williamfburg 
Neck,  which  we  both  approve  of;  I requell  that,  of 
the  feven  thoufand  men,  which  (as  far  as  I can  judge 
without  having  lately  received  any  returns)  you  have, 
you  will  referve  as  many  as  you  want  for  the  moll 
ample  defenlive,  and  defultory  water  expeditions; 
and  then  fend  me  the  rell  according  to  the  inclofed 
lifts  in  fucceflion  as  you  can  fpare  them. 

It  is  true,  indeed,  that  feveral  of  thefe  letters  were 
not  received  by  your  Lordfhip  until  fome  time  after 
you  received  thofe  of  the  iith  and  15th,  owing  to 
the  unexpebled  tedious  voyage  of  the  Charon  that 
carried  them  (and  you  mull  be  fenlible  that  it  would 
have  been  imprudent  in  me  to  have  rilked  duplicates 
of  them  by  the  boat,  in  which  Enfign  Amiel  was 
difpatched.)  But,  if  your  Lordfhip  will  be  pleafed  to 
recur  to  thofe  you  received  by  him,  I am  perfuaded 
you  will  find  that  the  letter  of  the  i ith  refers  you  to 
thofe  of  the  29th  of  May  and  8th  of  Juhe;  which  (it 
is  exprefily  implied)  your  Lordfhip  was  to  read,  be- 
fore you  executed  the  order  contained  in  that  of  the 
15th;  and  you  not  having  received  them  would  (I 
fhould  fuppofe)  have  fully  warranted,  at  leaf!  the  fuf- 
penfion  of  your  refolution  of  repafling  James-river, 
until  you  had  ftated  to  me  your  fituation,  and  heard 
again  from  me. 

After  this  very  candid  and  ample  explanation,  my 
Lord,  I have  only  to  allure  you,  that  it  was  not  my 
HH  intention 


Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton^  K.  B. 


250 

intention  to  pafs  the  flighteft  cenfure  on  your  Lord- 
fliip’s  conduct,  much  lefs  an  unmerited  or  fevere  one. 
W e are  both  amenable  to  the  cenfure  of  a much  higher 
tribunal,  fhould  either  of  us  unhappily  commit  errors 
that  deferve  it;  nor  had  I the  fmalleft  right  to  doubt 
your  Lordfhip’s  readinefs  to  comply  with  my  defires, 
if  you  had  underfiood  them.  The  difpatch  with  which 
you  prepared  to  execute  what  you  thought  my  wifh, 
and  the  alacrity  you  afterwards  fhewed,  together  with 
the  ample  manner  in  which  you  equipped  the  expe- 
dition I ordered,  convince  me  you  are  inclined  to  do 
fo.  I had  therefore  only  to  lament,  that  your  Lord- 
Ihip  had  miftaken  my  intentions,  and  to  endeavour 
to  obviate  the  inconvenience  as  fpeedily  as  polfible. 
This  perhaps,  was  done  in  more  pofitive  language 
than  I had  been  accuflomed  to  ufe  to  your  Lordlhip; 
but  I had  no  other  objeft  in  view  than  to  make  my- 
felf  clearly  underfiood,  which  I am  happy  to  find  has 
been  the  cafe,  and  that  my  melfenger  was  in  time  to 
prevent  the  confequences  I apprehended. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


N U M- 


T’o  Earl  Cornwallis. 


251 


NUMBER  II. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton.^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis.,  dated 
New-Tork,  Auguft  iqth,  1781. 

[Received  from  the  Secretary  at  New-York,  November 
19th,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I had  the  honour  to  receive  your  Lordlhip’s  letter 
in  cypher  of  the  17th  inllant,  by  the  Swallow  dif- 
patch  boat,  which  arrived  here  the  23d.  In  anfwer 
to  which,  I muft  confefs  that  I conceived  your  letter 
of  the  27th  ultimo,  gave  me  reafon  to  fuppofe  it 
was  your  intention  to  fend  me  the  troops  you  could 
fpare,  as  foon  as  you  finilhed  the  evacuation  of  Portf- 
mouth;  and  I was  impatient  for  their  arrival  for  the 
reafons  I have  already  communicated  to  you,  as  it  is 
probable  they  would  have  been  of  infinite  ufe  had 
they  come  in  time.  For  on  the  arrival  of  the  two 
thoufand  five  hundred  raw  German  recruits  which  I 
mentioned  in  my  laft,  and  in  the  hope  of  reinforce- 
ment from  your  Lordlhip,  I had  affembled  my  little 
army  in  fuch  a manner  as  to  be  able  to  avail  myfelt 
of  any  opportunity  which  might  be  given  me  by  the 
enemy,  who  had  foraged  within  fix  miles  of  my  lines 
on  the  17th.  This  fmall  movement  was  made  on 
the  1 8th,  they  fell  back  on  the  19th,  and  pafled  the 

Croton ; 


252  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

Croton;  afterwards  eroded  the  Hudfon  at  King’s- 
ferry,  and  are  now  encamped  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Chatham. 

I cannot  well  afeertain  Mr.  Walbington’s  real  in- 
tentions by  this  move  of  his  army;  but  it  is  poffible 
he  means  for  the  prefent  to  fufpend  his  offenfive  ope- 
rations againft  this  poll,  and  to  take  a defendve  fta- 
tion  at  his  old  pofl;  of  Morris-town,  from  whence  he 
may  detach  to  the  fouthward.  On  this  account  there- 
fore, and  becaufe  the  feafon  is  approaching  when 
operation  may  recommence  in  the  Chefapeak,  I re- 
queft  your  Lordfhip  will  be  pleafed  to  keep  with  you 
all  the  troops  you  have  there,  and  I fhall  send  you 
fuch  recruits,  convalefcents,  &c.  as  can  go  by  this 
fudden  opportunity;  which  are  all  that  I can  at  pre- 
fent fpare;  as  this  move  of  the  enemy  may  be  only  a 
feint,  and  they  may  return  to  their  former  pofition, 
which  they  certainly  will  do,  if  De  Graffe  arrives. 
But  towards  the  latter  end  of  next  month,  when  the 
effebls  of  the  equinox  are  over,  (for  I am  perfuaded 
the  Admiral  will  not  approve  of  any  water  move- 
ments till  then)  if  this  poft  fhould  not  be  threatened, 
I propofe  to  reinforce  the  Chefapeak  army  with  all 
the  troops  which  can  poffibly  be  fpared  confidently 
with  the  fecurity  of  this  important  poft. 

General  Leflie  has  been  here  fome  days,  he  will 
himfelf  explain  to  your  Lordfhip  the  caufe  of  his 
coming.  I was  much  concerned  to  find  him  in  fo  bad 
a date  of  health  on  his  arrival,  but  it  is  now  much 

altered 


To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


253 

altered  for  the  better;  he  embarks  to-morrow  to  pro- 
ceed to  Chefapeak  on  his  way  to  Charles-town, 

If  your  Lordfhip  from  your  knowledge  of  the  date 
of  South-Carolina,  fhould  be  opinion  that  any  troops 
may  be  fpared  from  thence,  I beg  leave  to  fuggeft 
that  the  fooner  you  give  orders  for  their  joining  you 
the  better. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


NUMBER  III. 

Sir  Henry  Clintony  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  dated 
New-Tork,  Auguji  1,0th,  1781. 

[Received  from  the  Secretary  at  New-York,  November 
19th,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I am  this  moment  honoured  with  your  Lord- 
fhip’s  difpatches  of  the  20th,  22d,  and  24th  inftant, 
which  were  delivered  to  me  by  Lieutenant-colonel 
Du  Buy;  and  as  my  letters  of  the  2d  and  27th, 
have  already  fpoken  very  fully  to  the  fubjedl  they 
chiefly  treat  of,  it  becomes  unneceffary  for  me  at 

prefent 


2 54  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton^  K.  B. 

prefent  to  give  your  Lordfliip  any  further  trouble 
thereon. 

General  Leflie  will  have  the  honour  to  commu- 
nicate to  your  Lordfhip  my  wifhes  refpedling  Caro- 
lina, as  I have  given  him  fuch  inftrudlions  relative 
to  the  fervice  in  that  quarter,  as  my  prefent  limited 
information  enables  me  to  do.  However,  as  I can- 
not but  fuppofe  that  the  operations  in  Virginia  and 
Carolina,  will  ftill  have  a confiderable  connexion 
with  each  other,  and  that  your  Lordfhip,  by  apply- 
ing to  the  officer  commanding  the  King’s  ffiips,  will 
have  the  fame  means  of  communication  that  I ffiall; 
I muft  requeft  that  you  will  ftill  retain  the  direction 
of  the  fouthern  diftridf,  until  I can  determine  upon 
it,  or  ffiall  find  it  expedient  to  comply  with  your 
Lordffiip’s  wiffies,  which  I ffiall  not  fail  to  pay  the 
earlieft  attention  to.  For  your  Lordffiip  having 
hitherto  had  the  entire  management  of  the  civil  and 
military  tranfacftions  in  the  Carolinas,  and  being  in 
confequence  better  qualified  than  any  other  perfon 
to  judge  of  what  may  be  hereafter  proper  to  be 
done  there,  it  will  be  neceflary  I ffiould  receive  your 
opinions  upon  them,  before  any  change  takes  place, 
or  I can  frame  definitive  orders  for  General  Leffie’s 
guidance.  Your  Lordffiip  will  be  therefore  pleafed 
in  the  mean  time  to  make  fuch  additions  to  the  in- 
ftrudlions  I have  now  given  him  as  you  ffiall  find 
requifite. 


I am 


To  Earl  Cornwallis. 


'^55 


I am  concerned  to  find  your  Lordfhip  under  the 
neceflity  of  employing  fo  many  troops  in  working  on 
the  fortification;  having  entertained  hopes  that  you 
were  fupplied  with  a fufficient  number  of  Negroes 
for  that  and  other  drudgeries. 

Mr.  Wier  having  informed  me  that  the  Commif- 
fary  with  your  Lordfhip  has  received  your  orders  to 
buy  rum  for  the  troops;  I have  the  honour  to  ac- 
quaint you,  that  as  there  is  a confiderable  quantity 
of  that  article  in  the  ftores  here,  a fupply  of  it  will 
be  fent  you  from  hence,  which  will  of  courfe  come 
cheaper  than  any  that  may  be  purchafed  in  Virginia. 

I hope  your  Lordfhip  will  find  every  thing  you 
want  fent  you  by  this  opportunity,  except  money, 
of  which  only  ten  thoufand  pounds  can  pofhbly  be 
fpared  at  prefent.  But,  a confiderable  fum  being 
expebled  by  the  firfl;  fleet  from  England,  I fhall  on 
its  arrival  fend  your  Lordfhip  a further  fupply. 

Sir  Samuel  Hood  arrived  here  from  the  Leeward- 
iflands  on  the  2»th,  with  fourteen  fail  of  the  line, 
three  frigates  and  a fire  fhip;  and  has  brought  with 
him  the  fortieth  and  fixty-ninth  regiments  to  rein- 
force this  army;  the  latter  of  which  continues  to  do 
duty  on  board  the  fleet.  On  the  evening  of  the  fame 
day  I received  undoubted  information  that  Monfieur 
Barras’  fleet  failed  from  Rhode- ifland  the  morning  of 
the  25th,  their  deftination  not  known.  Mr.  Wafh- 
ington’s  force  ftill  remains  in  the  neighbourhood  of 

Chatham, 


256 


Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 


Chatham,  and  I do  not  hear  that  he  has  as  yet  de- 
tached to  the  fouthward. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


P.  S.  September  ift.  As  your  Lordfhip  informs 
me  in  your  letter  of  the  22d,  that  the  works  you 
have  thought  proper  to  conftrudt  at  York,  will  not 
probably  be  finifhed  before  the  expiration  of  fix 
weeks,  I am  to  fuppofe  you  will  not  think  of  com- 
mencing folid  operations  before  that  time.  There- 
fore unlefs  Mr.  Wafhington  fhould  fend  a confider- 
able  part  of  his  army  to  the  fouthward,  I fhall  not 
judge  it  necelTary  until  then  to  detach  thither.  I 
fhould  wifb,  however,  in  the  mean  time  to  be  in- 
formed from  your  Lordfhip  what  number  of  troops 
you  think  will  be  required  for  the  defence  of  your 
works,  what  force  you  will  afterwards  have  to  take 
the  field  with,  and  what  you  will  want  in  addition; 
fuppofing  that  you  fhall  not  have  a greater  force  abt- 
ing  againfi:  you  in  Virginia,  than  what  may  be  ex- 
pedled  from  the  prefent  appearances. 


N U M- 


. to  Lord  Cornwallis. 


•257 


NUMBER  IV. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton^  K.  B.  to  Earl  Cornwallis^  dated 
New-Tork,  Odlober  14,  1781. 

[Received  from  the  Secretary  at  New-York,  Nov.  29,  1781.] 

MY  LORD, 

I HAD  the  honour  to  receive  your  Lordfhip’s 
letter  of  the  29th  ult.  on  the  8th  inftant,  and  that  of 
the  3d  on  the  12th  inftant,  and  am  happy  to  hear 
that  mine  of  the  24th  and  25th  have  reached  you. 

At  a council  of  war  of  the  General  officers,  held 
on  the  loth  inftant,  it  was  refolved  I fhould  fubmit 
the  three  following  plans  to  your  Lordftiip’s  confi- 
deration.  They  occurred  to  us  as  fecondary  objedls 
only,  (in  cafe  we  fhould  find  it  abfolutely  impracfti- 
cable  to  go  diredly  up  to  York;  or,  by  landing  at 
Monday’s  point,  effeft  a jundion  with  you  by  the 
Gloucefter  fide)  and  be  thereby  obliged  to  try  James 
river. 


FIRST, 

To  land  at  Newport  News,  and  the  troops  to  ad- 
vance from  thence  on  the  James  river  road  to  fome 
favourable  pofition,  in  communication  with  that 
river,  when  we  are  to  wait  until  we  hear  from  your 
Lordffiip,  or  circumftances  may  make  it  proper  for 
us  to  co-operate  with  you  in  effeding  a jundion  of 

the 


11 


25  B Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  K.  B. 

the  two  armies,  which  we  at  prefent  think  will  be 
heft  done  without  your  lines,  in  preference  to  an  at- 
tempt of  doing  it  within,  for  reafons  we  think  ob- 
vious. 

SECOND. 

To  attempt  a jundlion  with  you  by  a combined 
move,  — we  moving  up  James  river  to  James  town, 
and  your  Lordfhip  up  the  York  river  to  either 
Queen’s  creek  or  Cappahofick  ferry,  and  effedl  the 
junftion  as  near  Williamfburg  as  we  can;  thereby 
putting  ourfelves  in  a htuation  to  attack  the  enemy, 
Ihould  it  be  thought  advifeable. 

THIRD. 

To  fave  as  great  a part  of  your  Lordlhip’s  corps 
as  poffible,  by  bringing  them  off  to  James  town,  and 
a naval  force  will  be  ready  to  protect  them.  This 
we  think  may  be  done  by  our  giving  jealoufy  to  the 
enemy  from  Newport  News  or  Mulberry  ifland, 
whilft  your  Lordlhip  moving  up  the  river  with  as 
many  troops  as  your  boats  will  carry,  or  marching 
up  the  Gloucefter  hde,  croffes  the  river,  and  lands 
either  at  Queen’s  creek  or  Cappahofick,  and  makes 
the  beft  of  your  way  to  James  town. 

The  above  is  our  opinion  of  what  is  beft  to  be 
done  in  cafe  we  do  not  hear  from  your  Lordfhip. 
But,  ftiould  we  receive  other  ideas  from  you,  we 
fhall  of  courfe  be  governed  by  them. 


By 


to  Earl  Cornwallis. 


259 

By  this  your  Lordfhip  will  perceive,  our  wifhes 
are  to  effed;  the  jundion  firft  by  York,  — next  by 
Gloucefter,  — and,  in  cafe  either  of  thefe  are  abfo- 
lutely  impradicable,  by  the  James  river.  — Firft 
landing  at  Newport  News,  and  taking  a pohtion 
ready  to  co-operate  with  your  Lordfhip,  in  cafe 
you  fhould  recommend  a combined  effort  to  effed 
a jundion  that  way;  or  to  endeavour  to  effed  it 
near  Williamfburg,  the  two  armies  moving  up  the 
James  and  York  rivers  about  the  fame  time,  we 
landing  at  James  town,  and  your  Lordfhip  where 
you  judge  beft;  and  when  our  jundion  is  formed, 
bring  on  a general  adion  with  the  enemy,  fhould 
that  on  confultation  be  thought  advifeable.  But 
in  cafe  all  thefe  fhould  fail,  our  laft  objed  will  be  to 
fave  as  many  of  your  Lordfhip’s  troops  as  we  can, 
and  leave  the  poft  at  York  afterwards  to  make  the 
beft  terms  they  can  for  themfelves. 

The  Torbay  and  Prince  William  having  arrived 
on  the  iith,  our  fleet  at  prefent  confifts  of  twenty- 
five  fail  of  the  line  and  two  fifties,  with  a large  num- 
ber of  frigates.  They  are  now  ready,  and  I exped 
we  fhall  certainly  fail  in  a day  or  two. 

P.  S.  Od.  15.  — Had  the  wind  been  fair  to-day, 
the  fleet  would  have  fallen  down  to  the  Hook,  but 
I exped  the  whole  will  fail  to-morrow. 


P.  S.  Bv 


26o  Letters  from  Sir  H.  Clinton^  K.  B.  &c. 

P.  S.  By  the  duplicate,  London,  at  the  Hook, 
Odt.  1 8.  — The  fleet  is  alTembled,  the  troops  em- 
barked on  board,  and  the  whole  will  go  to  fea,  if 
the  wind  continues  fair,  to-morrow  morning,  as  the 
tide  will  not  fuit  before.  The  Admiral  and  I intreat 
that  we  may  receive  all  pofTible  information  from  you 
and  the  Commodore,  of  your  fituation,  and  the  exad 
pofltion  of  the  enemy’s  fleet,  to  meet  us  off  cape 
Charles. 

I was  honoured  with  your  Lordlhip’s  letter  of  the 
I ith  on  the  i6th  inftant. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


Original,  forwarded  by  Captain  Stapleton  on  the 
15th.  Duplicate  by  the  Refolution  whale-boat, 
Robertfon. 


THE  END. 


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